Empowering teens: Seasons change: Congratulations to our son on his graduation!

This is a picture taken at his school after the party. He went to
Consumes Oaks which only went to 11th grade and their colors included
royal blue. He graduated with the sister school that was full when we
arrived which was Franklin High School and their robe was purple.
So he'll have pictures in a purple robe. Ironically purple is his
sister's favorite color and royal blue is mine.
Isn't he handsome?

He did it! Our baby son graduated this past Wednesday, May 26.
Today I'm going to share a little bit about our son and the empowerment
that comes to teens through challenges of life and parents who are there.

What an occasion. We were very proud parents as we watched our son who
has gone through some very challenging times. We never expected to
see any of our children experience what he has experienced while
going through the educational system.

Our son was diagnosed with high functioning autism when he was about
9 years old. Yes, we know that it's possible to discover this sooner,
however, we had never heard of it. I was the Director of Education
and one of my teachers came to me and said Mrs. Tramble I have something
to share with you and I hope it's alright. I said sure go ahead what is
it. She went on to tell me that she worked with children with autism and
actually her nephew had it. Okay, I still didn't know what it meant.
She went on to say that my son had similar habits and actions that resembled
children with autism. I thanked her and promised that we would look into it.
Well, the journey begin from there. We read books talked with doctors who had
diagnosed him with adhd. They had previously prescribed Ritalin which
I immediately had him taken off of because he was hallucinating and other things.

Long story short my little one made a great accomplishment graduating.
Both his Father and I had eyes full of tears as we watched him walk with
the class of 2010 during the processional.

At the end of the night he said "I liked the graduation." This was music to our
eyes as we didn't know how he felt and was experiencing as he went through
the ceremony filled with cheers, rumbling, screams and more.

We have three other children older than him who all graduated and
are successful within their own rights.

I posted a tweet and update about the fact that we empower our teens when
we give them our undivided attention when they request it and not according
to our schedules. We learned this most with our baby son as he required our
attention at times that may not have been the most convenient but required
by him and I'm sure this empowered him and boosted his confidence and self esteem.

Seasons change and now begins the season of adult hood. Are we anxious about it?
At times it tries to visit us, however, we know as Christians we are encouraged
to "Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known!"

We are blessed as it could be more severe and our prayers go out to those
who happen to be experiencing a more sever case. They all are special and
every parent loves them to life!

A very special thank you to his siblings, family,friends and educators
who played a role in his achieving this milestone. Thank you Mrs. Trina
for coordinating his safe participation. He was a very handsome young man
as always but on this occasion in particular.

Congratulations to our dear son!! God will lead you on.

Love ,


Mom and Dad

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