FROM A PARENT OF A YOUNG MAN WITH AUTISM

Young Soon

Our son was born with mild autism. As parents, we have done as much as we could. We started EIP (Early Intervention Programme) with ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis), implemented dietary elimination program and kept up with the ever expanding field of treatment for this enigma called autism. Looking back, it has been a long frustrating journey with a sense of meaninglessness. But thanks be to God who has graciously kept us well.

Along the way, we crossed paths with men and women who have proven to be very helpful in the treatment of my son. My in laws especially my mum-in-law has been especially supportive. And we are truly grateful. Yet there seemed a never ending demand on our time and resources. Somehow, we always have this feeling that life with a child with special needs needs more than ordinary support and help. Perhaps, we were expecting too much from this world which has so many better things to chase after.

We did know of Malaysian Care’s Ministry with people with special needs. But we thought we knew better and perhaps could do a better job. As my son grew in stature (but not in wisdom as fast we would like him to), we became more than a little concerned about his future. Malaysian Care re-entered our radar screen. After some enquiries and interviews, we finally enrolled my son into Malaysian Care’s Work-based Training Program. Soon it became clear to us that we should have made that move much earlier. But as Christians who know the grace of God, we know God has His timing.

Over the past 1.5 years with the Work-based Program (WB) and now the Bridge to Work Program (B2W), we have seen our son improved and matured. But more importantly, we have also experienced the love and care of Malaysian Care’s staff and trainers towards our son. And if love is patience (and it must be as God says so in 1 Cor 13:1a), there must be a lot of it in Malaysian Care. From the depth of our hearts, we want to thank God for all of you, especially the staff and trainers in the WB and B2W for your dedication, love and care. Truly you have shown us what John means when he says, “This is how we know what love is, Jesus laid down his life for us”  (I John 3:16a).

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