Thank you for visting my donation page.

I’ve been a board member at NuPath for over 8 years, currently serving as the Board Chairman.

I learned about NuPath through my job in Banking and as we support local associations in the community and I had an opportunity to learn more and in time really gave me the chance to get involved here.

I am also a father – and I recently returned from daughters college graduation in Colorado. My daughter Madison is now an alumnist of the University of Colorado at Boulder… honestly, at the time I wasn't sure I wanted her journey to take her as far away as Colorado, but I am beyond proud of her. She was the second to leave the nest for school but the first to attend college and graduate.

As I reminisce about my journey as a parent I think back to the beginning …

The moment you first hold your new baby, you dream of all the amazing things he/she will do with his/her life.

This beautiful new being is so full of possibility—the sky is the limit, their potential endless.    And suddenly, in the mere blink of an eye, your sweet bundle of joy is in Kindergarten, getting a driver’s license, attending senior prom , college, and graduation! 

Watching her grow more independent, becoming her own person … she’s driven, feisty with a dry sense of humor. I see so much of myself in her.

I cannot be prouder of her choices, her ambition, her courage to explore the world, and to leave me back in Massachusetts to start a new chapter in her life 2000 miles away. 

Something else I want to share, Madison is my youngest … my oldest Michaela has had and has taken me on a very different journey …

In the beginning, it was what I was expecting – happy baby, first milestones, but then something shifted. There was regression, there were behavior issues, there were doctor’s appointments, specialists, terms and words I had not heard of or been prepared for.

When Michaela was 26 months old when her mother and I were told she has Autism-ASD.

So, the journey I was not quite prepared for, began.

Fast forward 25 years … I am a single parent, empty nester, with a young adult daughter with Autism.

I use to put my daughter in a white van every Monday morning as she attended a school on the south shore where she lived Monday through Friday. She was not always excited about heading off to school, as transitioning is hard for her. I would tell her, “see you Friday “and after a little prompting I receive, Bye Daddy! I waved goodbye as the bus pulled away, but she never waived back.

Michaela attended a residential and day program where she was provided support to achieve more independent skills, learning, working, taking part in community activities while living in a caring, safe, and engaging environment.

Michaela was my first to leave the nest, she has been in a residential placement since age 14, but there were no college applications, no FAFSA forms to fill out, and she was not involved in the decision process. Schools and programs were visited, and decisions were made on her behalf, then and now as her guardian.

If you are the single father / mother of a child with Autism who is the primary caregiver, I applaud you. For those that have stayed together to face this adventure, you should be revered.

But here I am,     

# I GOT THIS!

My job as my children’s caregiver and protector is ever changing and I am constantly learning a new set of coping skills.

I am excited for both of my daughters and what their futures will include.

A quick word to my children:

Madison – New Job – enjoy your new life in CO – always be kind – open up to what the world has to offer.

For Michaela – Dad loves seeing you thrive in your new home and day program.See you this weekend!

For both girls … The constant is, I love you, I will always be your father, your advocate, your biggest fan … I will be there for whatever you may need along your own adventure …

Be Happy, Be Safe, Be in each other’s thoughts.

Different Needs, Different Paths, for Different Daughters … Evolving Dad.

To Tricia, you are my love, my happiness, my everything. Thank you for being there on this journey through all the adventures of our life together. 

Thank you NuPath for providing me the support and outlet I have needed over the last 8 years.

To All . I appreciate that you have visited my page and are supporting my fund raising efforts!

My Best, Michael Rossetti 

Board Chair and a father supporting a daughter's life journey with autism.