For our family, one constant in our life is the challenge our daughter "Sophie" faces with autism. As you will see in her story, The Journey to Normal: Our Family's Life With Autism, Sophie was born with no differences. She was a typically developing child until she was almost two years old. Then, the difference became quite obvious. We searched for a diagnosis for many years and it wasn't until she was six that our fears were confirmed. Sophie was a child with autism.
However, Sophie has made tremendous progress through the years. When she was three, she was essentially nonverbal. Now, at seven, she is sitting next to me as I type, telling me all about the Mine Craft world she is building. We've gone from, "Something is wrong with your kid," to "Sophie is a little quirky, but I would have never guessed she has autism." Through various therapies, amazing educators, some fabulous advice, and following our instincts as parents, we have found a treatment program that is working for Sophie.
I named the book "the journey to normal" not because I want Sophie to be like everyone else, not because I have an illusion that there is any such thing as "normal," but because I wanted Sophie to have the same opportunities to experience life as everyone else. Sophie is a brilliant, amazing, enigmatic little girl. Without the ability to understand language or to speak, she would have had little chance of experiencing all of the things that you and I take for granted in life, let alone accomplish the great things I know she is capable of. Now that she is speaking and can understand language, I know Sophie will change the world and make it a better place.
While part of me considered keeping our story private, I knew that, like Sophie, I have a responsibility to make the world a better place, too. Sophie's story will not only guide other families who are on a similar path, it will provide hope and a beacon of light for those who are lost in the dark clutches of disability and differences.
If you know a family in a similar situation, feel free to send them to my blog or have them email me. For me, this isn't about book sales; this is about sharing our story and comforting others, providing them with answers and a shoulder to cry on. If you happen to read our story, feel free to leave a few words of encouragement for Sophie in the comment section of my blog or send me an email at authoridjohnson@gmail.com
I hope that 2015 is a year to celebrate for you and your family. God Bless!
Here is the link to The Journey to Normal: Our Family's Life With Autism
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RMZC0LS
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| My daughter "Sophie" at two when she started slipping away |
