I remember when Jack was younger and was first diagnosed with Autism. I remember my parents being so overwhelmed. I remember being away at college, and trying to help when I could, but still feeling so helpless. I remember a sweet, funny, challenging, and smart little boy. I remember knowing nothing about Autism and everything about being a sister.

What they don’t prepare you for is the limited communication, and when developmentally, Jack should be learning a lot of new words, he would only say “Spongebob” and “Tickle tickle” until he stopped talking altogether months later. How textures play a part in food and he would want to eat the same thing every day – Salisbury steak tv dinners. How you have to make a plan to get groceries because you can’t just take a child with Autism into a noisy place with bright lights and lots of people. What it’s like to wait 2 hours for a child to finish eating a meal.

But then you learn. Even though Jack wouldn’t talk, he would line up all of his Cub’s toys when Max would watch a Cub’s game. I remember vividly the first time that happened. Max had turned on the baseball game, and Jack grabbed his toy bat with a Cub’s logo. Then Jack grabbed the softball with the Cub’s logo. And the Cub’s blanket. And a Cub’s T-Shirt. My mom and I looked at each other. It was just such a lightbulb moment that even though he wasn’t talking, he was understanding and communicating.

What they didn’t prepare me for is how much my stomach hurts after the late nights of laughter while mom and dad are out. What it’s like to have a brother who cries when other kids are getting in trouble because he is so sensitive and caring. How cool it is to listen to Jack sing a song or play a musical instrument on stage in a school concert without any fear. How much fun Snapchat filters can be when we sit together and make faces with funny voices. How Jack can find a video on YouTube without any help. How sweet his hugs can be when I’m having a bad day.

When we first started utilizing The Arc, I was the only staff allowed to work with my brother. Due to his limited communication, I was the only person my mom trusted. Fast forward to 2019 when Jack did his first overnight at The Arc without any family members, and has gone on to do 2 more! He’s done Summer Day Camp for the past 7 years. Jack receives 3 different types of services from The Arc including Respite, Summer Day Camp and Groups. The Arc has provided us with a community, and has helped ease some of the overwhelmingness. They’ve helped prepare us for Jack’s present and his future. They’ve given Jack friends, joy, and opportunities. If you would consider joining our team or donating to The Arc March, you are making a donation for Jack’s journey, and about 800 other families who are going through similar experiences.