3rd Edition

My children are my pride.
It wasn't easy to move forward, but it was a wonderful learning experience; my children and I, the three of us, can now say that our journey to a future filled with happiness and love was a process of adventure and understanding of autism.
My children were like any other kids. I raised them equally, with the same love and care to allow them to grow healthy and good. Today, I can say that I feel proud of them.
Fer was the one who taught me thousands of things and educated me. I am a mother that knows from the experience of life with autism, and more than that, my sensibility and my creativity were the guides that where with us at all times in our lifes.
Claudita, since the age of nine, gave us the support to continue moving forward and was our solace and continues doing so. Even at a young age she always gave us her support and pushed us to take life altering decisions. Even when we encountered thorns in our path, we gave back love. Her strength and pride as an oak contrasts her small size. A good daughter and a good mother to her little one Sammy who is our hope and faith. Just looking at Sammy's face all our worries go away and our spirits soar with happiness.
Today, my beautiful family is collecting all that we sawed since the kids were little. Today we can see and savor the fruits. Today, learning became our daily bread. Today, we can assure that everything we are, we owe to God and our undying faith. Today, everything has been forgiven because we are our own inheritance, full of qualities.
I feel that all the work we did is taking form in the project we are developing to help anyone who has a child or a frind or a family member with autism. I feel that together we can bring all that this project needs while keep on learning every day with love. I feel I couldn't have done it by myself and I am thankful that we have always been able to count with beautiful and good people. As pieces of a puzzle that come together to make a whole, we have been able to find people with hearts of gold. I always say that friends are a treasure and their presence is unconditional.
I want to say goodbye not without first giving infinite thanks to God and all those who have helped us in our loving and peaceful journey.
Marita Bernal
Tampa, Fl
10-28-08