Looking for hope in the ashes

Comments (6)

1. • MannyFanny

   That is a moving story

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2. • l.briney

   I would just like to provide encouragement to Johnathan's family. My 9-year-old son who is also autistic (Asperger's Syndrome) has had to endure some extreme changes in his life and routine over the past year-and-a half. This has included uprooting him from his childhood home in Atlanta and moving to San Diego, changing schools mid-year (where he had much love and support), the separation of his parents etc. He is currently cared for by my parents (his maternal grandparents) while I deal with my own health issues. I must say from my own experience that my son has been able to adapt fairly well to the large changes in his life. It is the daily routines that seem to be most crucial and really give him comfort. It often seems the small consistencies of life that are what truly helps him feel comfortable, that everything is o.k. and most importantly that he is loved and safe. Even more incredible, the change of environment has really helped my son in many ways to blossom and grow into his own. I'm not sure if other autistic parents have witnessed this, but my child always seemed to have a developmental "spurt" of sorts after vacations etc. There are incredible resources in California for autistic children and their families and I encourage you to seek their support. Most importantly, know you are not alone. I am continually amazed when my courage is flagging or I feel down how my son, even with all these changes, has been able to raise my spirits. My thoughts and well wishes are with you and your son. Life throws amazing curves at us, but through all of it eventually we find growth.

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3. • debbi.scarborough

   i also have a 13 year old son with Asperger's here in atlanta - we could not find a school for these amazing children so we have opened Cumberland Academy 0f Georgia, specifially for these kids.
   Check out our website www.cumberlandacademy.org, when my son heard about your story, he said he would like to donate his hot wheels cars to him. Please let us know how we can send them..
   god bless Debbi Scarborough

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4. • autismfamily

   I placed an ad in craigslist last Sat looking to help any autism families in their fire forum. I am in Los Angeles and the only responses I got were from media asking me If anyone responded. Most of those ads had no response. I tried calling 211, american red cross in hopes of getting something on their bulletin board and even went to two autism orgs to see if any msg or note online and nothing. How did this story get to CNN and the toy company get notified?

   Why were they not asking for help from local people instead of going to CNN?

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5. • cbarcin

   My brother emailed me this article link at cnn. The story is all to familar to me. We live in New Jersey and have a 9 year old son with Asperger. We lost our home 8 months ago in a fire here in New Jersey. I know what the Reyes are going through and can emphatize with them. I was hoping to be able to reach the family as in our fire, our basement remains were not all destroyed and my son's hot wheel cars were salvaged. This also was one of his obssessions when he was younger. I would like to be able to donate these cars to Jonathan. I believe now that there was a reason why they were saved. I can only add that it will get better with time- the first several months are tough but as soon as the family can establish some type of schedule back to their lives, things will start turning around. If anyone knows how I can reach the reyes family, please email me at cbarcin@aol.com keep the faith

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