Autism at Family Retreat
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada with a story that will touch your heart.
It’s the kind of story that happens all the time at a Joni and Friends’ Family Retreat. You see, last summer, Susan attended a Family Retreat with her 12-year-old son David who has autism and other disorders. David doesn’t speak and is extremely sensitive to change and unusual sounds. It’s not uncommon for Susan to shield David – like if they’re in a store or a restaurant, a loud intercom or a plate shattering on the floor can make David go ballistic, violently beating his head and screaming. Susan has had to deal with a lot of negative comments and, more often than not, ends up leaving the store or the restaurant, or sometimes even an extended family gathering. As a single parent, it’s so challenging for Susan to give David all the attention he needs; she’s working and trying to make ends meet, participating in his schooling and shepherding him through Sunday school, this mother is worn out before the day is half done.
A friend told Susan about Family Retreat, but she was afraid to sign up. She said, “You know, camps are usually a disappointment”, and there have been a few where she has quietly been asked to leave with David. But the first day she was at a Joni and Friends’ Family Retreat, she knew this would be different. Julie, the director, had lined David up with two teenagers – guys who were just as energetic as David, but also understood his limitations. After all, these two young men grew up with disabled brothers, and they knew the ropes. So when David had a meltdown during one of our retreat activities, Susan panicked. But David’s two young volunteers just took him outside with a beach ball and made their own fun. Susan could hardly believe it. This was such a different experience, and by midweek, her son was even getting up early to meet his two new friends. David may not have been able to communicate with words, but his actions showed that he thought these two guy volunteers were pretty cool.
On the last day of Family Retreat, Susan wanted to stand and give a testimony not only to our team, but to all the other families gathered. With tears streaming down her face, she kept wiping her eyes and saying, “I am so amazed, I’m so amazed. This camp is more than I could ever have imagined. You see, most of the time people are too eager to judge and make negative comments, but that didn’t happen here at Family Retreat. This has been the best week ever for David, and we can’t wait to come back.”
I share Susan’s story, because I just bet there’s a friend listening who could say as a parent, it’s her story. If so, would you please come to a Family Retreat this summer? Or, you might be the young person who could serve like those two high schoolers who volunteered to help David. If so, we need you. Young kids like David need you. And to help you understand more about David’s autism, I’d love to send you a gift today that will explain it all. Just contact me today at joniandfriends.org/radio and ask for our booklet on autism. It’s filled with all kinds of tips for parents, educators, and friends of special-needs families. Again, just ask for your free copy of our autism booklet at joniandfriends.org/radio. And if your want to ask via “snail mail” send your request to Joni and Friends, Post Office box 3333, Agoura Hills, California 91376. As we get ready for our summer camps across the country, thank you for praying for families like Susan’s. They need the love of Jesus and they can experience that love at Family Retreat. Hey friend, at Joni and Friends we would like to pray for you so share with us your thoughts and your prayer needs at joniandfriends.org.
© Joni and Friends
