After visiting several doctors, they were finally diagnosed with autism.
“I had never heard of anything other than autism rain manReferring to the hit movie that came out a few months ago, Bynes said, “I got the books, I went to the library and I was still at a loss – I wasn’t a great mother. It seems that.
As Jason got older, Bynes had to deal with frequent tantrums and occasionally violent behavior that children with autism can exhibit. I moved from Chicago to Maywood, a small, mostly black suburb, in hopes of being provided, but the support lagged far behind that of the wealthier communities. Vines says she desperately needed support.
“My life depended on finding services for Jason. I had to ride trains, planes, buses and magic carpets to get any kind of help,” she said. said. “I took many medicines, changed doctors, changed hospitals. My husband worked the night shift, so I did most of it by myself. I felt completely helpless. ”
The support groups she actually found were in wealthy communities. Not only was it difficult for her to get around without a car, she felt out of place when she arrived.
“I was the only black woman there. I was the only one with a low income,” she said. But they’ll say, ‘It only costs $500.
Ultimately, Bynes sought solace in drugs.
“I was a functioning addict. I was still wearing red lipstick. I was still his mother. You saw Jason with me wherever I went.” “I just kept things moving.”
After she ended up in prison and was finally acquitted in June 2005, she found her calling.
“I made a vow not to let any parent go through what I went through,” she said.
“Families are always asking questions, and we want to provide the answers.” .”
Vines is working to change that. Once children are diagnosed, she helps provide families with the information and services they need, especially within the school system. Her organization also offers parent support groups, a 24-hour helpline, and a variety of activities for individuals affected by autism.
At the heart of the group’s program are free and low-cost classes held every Saturday at a local community center. These include tutoring, exercise, dance, nutrition, and even social skills classes for young women covering topics such as relationships and sex education. Open to people of all ages, these programs provide valuable social opportunities for students while giving parents a much-needed break.
It’s been a long road, but Vines is confident he’s found the right path.
“Jason took me places I never thought I’d go,” she said. I made it grow.”
CNN’s Kathleen Tonner spoke with Bynes about her job. Below is an edited version of their conversation.
CNN: Your organization has evolved to offer many services. how did it start?
Debra Vines: Women want to be able to talk about what they are going through, so my work started primarily to support mothers. I have children and many things. You have to deal with kids screaming, banging their heads, and going nowhere because they can’t find someone to watch over them. kid can’t work
Many parents with special needs don’t have many friends. It’s not that our friends don’t love us but they stop calling so she wanted to tell her story so women don’t fall into the rabbit hole I fell into is.
CNN: You now support men too.
Vines: Oh yeah, men come to our support groups too. There is also a group called “Just for Men”. It’s so funny because her late husband went with me to some support groups and started saying, “Where are the men?” So I said, “Well, why don’t we create a space for them?” So he did! They were taking nature walks, going to sports bars, and going to games. And it was amazing because they finally talked about their child and had a solution with each other.
CNN: We also do a lot to educate our entire community about autism.
Vines: People fear what they don’t understand. We have many children with no social skills, and that number is increasing with autism, so we want to make sure that communities like churches, department stores, and legislators are fully educated. For example, Jason had a drug meltdown and was very violent. And I had to call an ambulance. The fire department called the police. And they came in with their guns drawn. I always tell them, “No weapons. My son is autistic.” they hadn’t heard anything. Therefore, we want to make sure our first responders are trained, and nearly every village within Proviso Township, Illinois, is trained in the signs and symptoms of autism. Advocacy is a gift. I am good at it and it makes me feel so much better. That’s my best so far.
Source: www.cnn.com
