They always say that your entire life can change in just a moment.
For the Prince family, it just did.
This past week Keller was diagnosed with autism.
“Autism is a mental condition, present from early childhood, characterized by great difficulty in communicating and forming relationships with other people and in using language and abstract concepts.”
We aren’t sure exactly where he is on the ‘autism spectrum’ as we haven’t received the full written report from our doctor, but we are sure it is a correct diagnosis. We had some concerns about some sensory issues and delays in Keller and took him to see a neurologist who specializes in children and special needs. We knew there was some work to do, but were blindsided by the diagnosis of autism.
Now everything has changed. We are a family with a special needs child. Autism is now personal. We are a fury of sadness, confusion and exhaustion. There are many more questions than answers. There are many places we know we will get to. We know we will accept it. We know we will become warrior, advocate parents. We know we will get a clear diagnosis and have clear therapies scheduled. We know the diagnosis will be freeing at some point. We know it will become our NEW NORMAL eventually. But for now we are not at those places yet.
We are just feeling these feelings and trying to get our minds around this new life of ours. We are inviting God into the darkness and just asking Him to be present. We don’t want to just attach Christian language to this or will ourselves to feel better. We want to truly ask God to do miracles placing this challenge before Him. We know He can and we know He will.
A new journey is ahead for the Prince family. We will seek therapies for Keller right here in South Africa and will see him grow into the Keller God intends him to be right here in Ocean View. Our story is to be told in this place.
In a moment everything has changed. We invite you to pray for us and pray for the days ahead. We know they will be painfully difficult at times and yet also believe that in them we will see the glorious presence of our GOOD GOD. Join us.
“I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me.” -Psalm 57:2