Locals Speak out Against Autism
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JACKSON, Tenn. – April marks Autism Awareness Month nationwide. Studies show it is the fastest growing serious developmental disease in the United States. According to website, Autism Speaks, one in 88 children have autism, and boys are five times more likely than girls. Goldie M. Ross, of Jackson, deals with the realities of autism every day. She has for more than two decades. “I didn’t go looking for autism,” said Ross. “Autism found me. And as painful as it is, and it’s very painful, I feel as though I have no other choice in the situation.” Ross’ son, Kevin, was diagnosed with autism around the age of 16. This came after years of misdiagnosis with everything from ADHD to bi-polar disorder. He is now 22. Coping with the disability has been difficult for the entire family as he sometimes has trouble controlling his emotions. To make matters worse, Ross said Kevin was bullied and publicly humiliated. “You get a lot of horrible things said to you as a parent of an autistic child,” said Ross. “Horrible stuff. But you have to take that pill and swallow it, and use it the right way.” Ross said through all the difficulties in raising an autistic child, the toughest choice she had to make was taking her son out of her home and into an assisted living community. “Having a special needs child, you think that they’ll stay with you forever,” said Ross. “But unfortunately, I was no longer able mentally, or emotionally, or physically able to take care of my own son. So that was devastating for me.” Now an adult, he works a part-time job and lives with a roommate at Guardian Community Living. Family members said it is a big step from where he was just years ago. “I think sometimes we take the easy way out, and I don’t like that,” said Ross. “God didn’t give up on us, so I’m not gonna give up on Kevin.”
