Jem Miller was a happy baby who appeared to be
developing normally until around the age of 18 months. At that time
his mother started to notice a change. Very slowly Jem appeared to be
losing skills. He stopped singing and didn’t interact as much. Over
time his language also drifted away. By the time Jem was 2 all of his
functional communication was gone. At 2 1/2 Jem was diagnosed with
Autism. At 3 his early intensive intervention began. Jem is now a very
verbal 10-year-old. He will start fully included 5th grade
in the fall. He loves robots, Legos, video games, Minecraft, Americas
Funniest Home Videos, Spongebob, swimming, playing with friends and
anything to do with space!
Jem
plans to be a rocket engineer when he grows up and especially wants to
work on the robots that are sent into space to retrieve data.
(Jem's Robot shirt)
(Jem creating his art)
From
the moment you start thinking of being a parent you have dreams for
your child. When I knew I was going to have a son I had visions of who
he would be, how he would change the world and how proud I would be of
him. I remember the day my son was diagnosed with Autism. It felt like
someone had robbed my dreams, stolen my child and left me on a foreign
planet. It didn’t take me long to realize that my dreams for my child
were going to be fulfilled, and Autism was going to be a part of the
conversation.
I can honestly say
that my son is my hero. At age 10, he has already changed the world
and made it a better place. He has worked harder than anyone I know to
be a part of a world that I always took for granted.
I
am a very lucky woman because I live in a place where my son had access
to treatments that helped him and where funding sources were available
for him to get that treatment. I know that there are many, equally
deserving children and parents who do not have access to what my son
had. It is just one of the many reasons we support Autism Care and
Treatment Today! They give grants to families to help their children
get access to services and treatment that make a difference.
I
can’t tell you how happy Jem is that his drawing of a robot is on
t-shirt being sold to raise money for children with Autism. He is so
proud of himself and thrilled that he can be helpful. I had no idea he
was such a talented artist! I couldn’t be prouder of him. I hope you
will support Jem, ACT Today! and Paper Clouds apparel by buying Jem’s
robot and wearing it with pride!
(Jem and his mom Shannon)
(Jem's Robot on our canvas tote bag)
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