Life as we knew it changed 6 years ago. Little did we all know that it would be for the better. I had raised 2 older daughters who were every parents dream,despite the odds they faced from a dysfunctional home. My first,22 graduated from NYU with Honors and the 2nd is a junior @ UVM on her way to graduating with honors. My 3rd is 9 and Autistic, with extreme behavior issues.I was a single parent &worked 3 jobs, and just met a fantastic guy when I got her diagnosis. I thought he would run like a criminal but instead asked to marry "US". We spent uncountable hours searching for answers, help, or perhaps someone or something to save us. Chanci didn't talk until she was 4 and was a "Bolter",there were many "public" tantrums due to her frustration of not being able to say what she wants,never mind the numerous times that I had stores"locked-down" because my child was"missing". Not to mention the time the NY state police pulled me over 1 mile away from the McDonalds I just left with my daughter in a full blown tantrum(someone reported an abduction). I searched for a way to make our life better and safer and when I thought parents of Autism have no hope, I found our hope. Hope came to us with BIG brown eyes, a wet nose, and 4 legs! I found Heeling Autism, a service dog program offered by Guiding Eyes for the Blind in Yorktown Heights, NY. We were given our gift of hope and Chanci's BFF 2 years ago. Our lives are forever changed and blessed. We shop everywhere and everyone knows us. Chanci communicates freely now and explains why she needs her service dog, to keep her safe because of her "Boo Boo", Autism.
laurapeekskill, NY