If it is okay, I would like to share a small glimpse into Coopers journey:

Cooper from day one has always been our sweet, funny, loving boy!  As he grew, he was delayed in things like crawling, walking, talking and other things but like most parents, we kept thinking ..."well, he will get it, it will just be in his own way in his own time".  But Moms intuition kicked in that something was not quite adding up but as a parent you don't want to think anything could be "wrong" so you do the "wait and see" approach or albeit a bit of "denial".  Cooper was 3years old when we first heard Cooper and Autism used in the same sentence. Getting a diagnosis like this sends you into a state of shock!!  Never once did this pop into my head. I didn't even know what it was..."Autism!?!?!.....that sounds Serious and very scary!!" you go through soooo many emotions sad, Angry, lost, confused, and yep still denial! So many uncertainties, will he ever be able to talk me, where do we even start, what will his future hold etc. etc. Whatever it was, All I knew was one thing, it was time for this mom to "get to work" so I started reading anything and everything I could.  In the beginning it was a lot like running through fog having NO idea what you're doing or even what to look for but yet you still search. Eventually, our path lead us to Fraser which has changed our world FOREVER!!

Fraser has impacted my family in many ways. We will be forever grateful to all of Coopers teachers/therapist's we have come in contact with throughout our years at Fraser. Having people just "get it", dig in and walk through the fog with you is simply priceless!! We have cried, laughed, celebrated every step together and I consider everyone we have worked with an extension of our own family. Having people care for Cooper as if he was one of their own, for a mom (yes tears even still as I type this) there is no way Thank you could ever be good enough!!  We are just beyond thankful Fraser exists along with all the passionate, caring people who work so hard impacting so many people every day! Grateful we did not have to experience how much more of a struggle it would be without them.

Hit the fast forward button to today, Cooper is now 7 years old and his view on the world is simply AMAZING!!  Knowing what I know now about early intervention being SO key....I am happy I "got to work" when I did and discovered Fraser when we did!! Yes this road has been long and we still have challenges but I am so proud of Cooper.  He has come SO SO far from where we began and Fraser has played a very big role in that!!  Walking this journey along side my son and getting a glimpse on his view of things is teaching me SO Very much more about the world and about life!! 

This April 16th, we will be walking along side many other families raising support and awareness for Minnesota families affected by autism and supporting Fraser in all that they do in impacting so many lives.

For me personally, you might just catch me dancing instead of walking as I will be celebrating every single step this journey has taken us on so far!  No, not all of it was great or even easy but we all learned along the way together and every little bit is bringing me closer to embracing the awesomeness that Autism can be. And if I have learned anything it is that you do not just celebrate the BIG happy milestones you celebrate EVERY. Single. Moment!!!

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