I’m not going to get into a lot of writing for this blog. I think the pictures I’m posting will say enough. Just in case you’ve never been to this site, I’m a father of three and a marathon runner. My middle child, 7-year-old Jack, is severely autistic. I decided I wanted to do something to try to make a difference so in 2010, I ran 61 full marathons to raise money for a charity I’m proud to be a part of called Train 4 Autism.
For a while, I used to think Jack never regressed, that he just never got there. It’s all been a blur for the past six years and I don’t really remember. But after looking at some pictures of him recently, I’m thinking my memory was off. It’s really hard to think about this, and I really don’t want to get on a big soapbox about vaccines, but it’s really hard to look at these pictures and think that we might have done this to him and ruined his life.
I’m not anti-vaccines. But I think you should be safe about them. Make sure your kiddo can handle them. That’s all I’m saying (for now).
And here’s the one, when combined with the other five, that just kills me. When you get pictures taken, you always go with the best picture out of the tons that get taken by the photographer. This was the best one they came up with. Jack had no clue that he was getting his picture taken and had zero interest in all the tactics we were using to get his attention. I have no doubt that he was a different little boy in the top five pictures.
I don’t even have words right now, but like I said at the top, I think the pictures take care of that.
{{HUGS}}
ugh. wow.
Sam, seeing these photos last night, I was completely devastated. I know exactly how you feel, the guilt/blame, the questioning, the anger, the frustration, and the pain. Jack is a beautiful boy with wonderful parents and siblings, and I pray that your family is blessed with a thousand tiny miracles that bring Jack back to you, to us, so everyone can easily see how awesome he is, without autism getting in the way. I cried for about an hour after seeing these photos. My heart breaks for you and Tiff, and every other vaccine-injured family out there. Please know we are praying and pulling for you guys. Jack is still the luckiest boy in the world, to be blessed with the family he has.
I have pictures like that as well. I blogged about it here: http://thisisnotholland.blogspot.com/2011/05/before-and-after.html
You are not the only one who looks back and wonders…
I was injured too from a flu vaccine in 2009. They call it autism, but in reality it’s really brain damage. I now exhibit a lot of the same cognitive issues that someone with autism would have. I have brain vasculitis and a shrunken cerebellum all from my mistake to become vaccinated. I however, can still run and plan on running in this year’s Operation for Jack race. I wish you and your son the best and hope you’re able to see some progress in his condition.
No words just hugs.
Dude. I get it. I have the same pics at home.
Hugs, healing and hope-
I feel the same way. Our guys will continue to move forward and fight their way back. Grateful you are in a place where you are getting strong support for him.