Subject: To my daughter with Autism, Lora on her 14th birthday

9-12-2000
To:   Lora Michelle Watson
From: Your Dad Paul Watson

I find it very hard to believe that your turning 14 and becoming a
teenager and soon a Woman. It seems just like yesterday. On a Friday
morning September 12, 1986 your mother and I were at the Plano Hospital
for a C section delivery of our first child. We were so excited, I had
gone through birthing class and was allowed in the surgery room with my
camera. As they pulled your tiny 5 lb body out and handed you to me you
cried your first sound and took your first breath. I gave you back to the
nurse who started cleaning your nose and mouth, but as I watched you
turned a dark blue from lack of oxygen. As they took you to another room I
followed taking pictures. As the Women pediatrician worked frantically to
help you breath she screamed for the staff to get that dad out of the
room. About that time your Uncle, Dr. Steve Watson, who was checking on
some of his patients at he hospital, heard the emergency call on the
intercom and ran into your room. Steve immediately realized you had a rare
birth defect that blocked both of your nostrils with bone so he put a tube
down your throat saving your life. Unknown to the hospital staff and us
was that babies can not breath through their mouth until they are about 2
months old. Then another Woman doctor showed up who informed me that you
had some kind of birth defect syndrome and you would not live very long,
she was wrong. We rushed you in to meet your Mother who was just recovering
from her surgery and she was only able to reach into the oxygen box to
touch your hand before they rushed you away to the Neo-Natal Intensive
care unit at Presbytarian Hospital. That afternoon I held you in my arms
at the intensive care unit knowing how important parent bonding is to a
newborn child. It was such a scary room with all the tubes and monitors
beeping. After I visited your Mother back at the Plano hospital I made it
home after midnight. My mind was dizzy with all the happenings of the day,
none of which we were prepaired for or expecting. I entered your freshly
painted baby room with your Jenny Lynn bed and teddy bear pictures on the
wall. As I looked around your perfect baby room I began to cry, I was
crying for the child we would never have, I was crying for your Mother who
was in the hospital with no baby to hold. And most of all I was crying for
you, my precious little baby girl. For the first time in my whole life I
got down on my knees with my head resting on your bed. I began to pray to
God for help. I asked God to please save your life and that I would do
anything, anything, just so you could live. I asked God for only one
favor, to let you be able to talk with me someday.















As your life unfolded we spent 6 weeks in the hospital, you had surgery to
open up your nose. Your mother stayed 12 hours during the day and I every
night and the weekends so one of us was by your side at all times in the
hospital. Finally we got to take you home and we soon had you enroled in a
early childhood program. When you were 6 months old they told us your
other birth defect was something called "Autism". We started attending
Autism meetings and went to several Autism conferences. We learned
American Sign Language and taught you how to sign your words. We started
you in Easter Seals for speech and physical therapy. We spent many hours
at your school fighting for your needs. You endured several surgerys on
your nose and ears but still you continued to grow. We did diet, auditory
training, sensory integration, structured learning, pictures, and so many
things to help you overcome your Autism. When you were 6 years old, I came
home from work one day and you said, "Hello Daddy" your first sentence.
For your mother and I every small step you take, every new word you say is
a miracle.

Lora, you are the best thing that has every happened to my life.
Even though we sometimes loose our temper and get mad at you, we know your
doing the best you can. Raising a child with Autism has been very hard for
us and sometimes your a real pain in the rear. Lora, you are the most
loving and kind person I know, you are nice to everyone you meet. You
worry about everyone you know if they are sick or hurt. You really do feel
our pain. I know life is hard for you. Sounds hurt your ears and cause
lots of pain. Your skin hurts and itches, bouncy cars and vibrations cause
you lots of discomfort. You always seem to have a sinus infection. You
have to take lots of pills and have your nose washed out every day.

Lora, your Mother and I want you to know we think your a wonderful kid.
You put up with more pain every day than most of us can ever understand.
You are funny and laugh and bring us lots of joy. I am proud to be your
Dad. As you go on to mature and grow up as an adult with Autism, we will
be with you to help you become all that you can in life. Your Autism will
never go away, it is part of you. Your Autism makes you a unique person
who sees, feels, taste, and thinks differently than most people. It is
this uniqueness that makes you such a wonderful and special person.
Lora we love you for who you are: Lora Watson our Daughter.

Happy Birthday,
Love,
Your Dad,
Paul Watson

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Paul Watson C.P.M., pwatson@utdallas.edu   Senior Buyer UTD
The University of Texas at Dallas ph# 972/883-2307,fax# 972/883-2348
President of ASCC Autism Society of Collin County
ASCC Home Page http://www.autism-ascc.org
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