Holly Robinson Peete writes for Newsweek on her special 60th birthday trip with son RJ.
The year was 2000. Our three-year-old son, RJ, had just been diagnosed with autism.That day—a day we now call 'The Never Day'—a developmental pediatrician handed us a laundry list of all the things RJ would supposedly never do:Mainstream in school. Socially interact. Make friends. Go to college. Live independently. Drive. Hold meaningful employment. Travel comfortably or be in public spaces without struggle.We were gutted.
RJ, an avid swimmer and lover of all things aquatic, spent hours snorkeling in the warm cerulean waters, earning the nickname 'the fish whisperer' for the way colorful fish followed him. We marveled at stingrays, sharks, turtles, and an endless parade of vibrant marine life.Meanwhile, I stepped out of my comfort zone by taking a ballet class offered at the resort with a talented visiting dancer named Karis Scarlette.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
What to know about a newly defined chemical byproduct found in drinking waterThe byproduct has been in tap water for decades, but was hard to isolate.
Read more »
R&B and rap legends coming to Alabama: ’Musical performances that defined a generation’Trey Songz, Omarion, Bow Wow, Boosie, Plies and many others have a spring show in Birmingham on the 'Millennium Tour.'
Read more »
10 Great Comic Book Movies That Most Defined The GenreSplit image of Christopher Reeve as Superman and Tobey Maguire as Spider-Man fighting Willem Dafoe&39;s Green Goblin
Read more »
Personal Perspective: One day, you'll no longer be defined by what you've lost.Personal Perspective: Online support for suicide bereavement can be a lifesaver. But people stop posting when they're no longer defined by pain, so what's "the other side" like?
Read more »
Over a decade after son’s murder, Jordan Davis’ father remembers his son by helping othersIts been 12 years since Jordan Davis was murdered while sitting at a gas station playing loud music
Read more »
Expanding self-awareness with newly defined cognitive tools.What are the links between self-observation and psychological change? The self-discerner takes the neutral observations and selects what to change. The selection leads to action.
Read more »