I have a good friend who is a really, really good mom. (Well, I have quite a few of those....) Ami and I have gotten close over the past year or so, and our families have become friends too. Jeff and I have a lot of affection for Ami's girls, Ellie and Katie. Ellie is one of Anna's BFF's, and the friend she was baptized with. They have a special bond. Watch out - they are gonna change the world:) Katie will be a 5th grader, and Jeff and I volunteered to be 5th grade Sunday School teachers this year. So we get to have Katie (and some other fantastic kids too - we picked a good year!) in our class.
Katie is amazingly smart. She's precocious and full of energy. She is full of hugs and questions and spunk. She endeared herself to us pretty quickly. But I know that Ami and her husband Rob have had lots of challenges because of Katie's diagnosis. I have witnessed their amazing tenacity. They work tirelessly to do what's best for their daughter. Their love and devotion to their family is obvious to everyone who knows them.
Autism spectrum disorders have affected other friends and acquaintances in my life and in yours. You have probably been touched by their stories too. We don't often know how to ease the burdens of friends, or support them in what they do, but sometimes little ways come up.
For those of you who know Ami (or are touched by her story), her family is raising money for Autism awareness and research through the Autism Speaks walk. I asked Ami if I could post this link but she didn't know what I was going to say:) I hope I didn't embarrass her. Ami, I wanted to honor your wonderful family. Love you! Check it out if you would like to contribute a little something to the cause or send the La Ducs some love.
Go Team Katie! :)
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