Shirley Newsome:  

gotten in the computer field. I would say that I wouldn't have married Eric, because after our son regressed into autism, he couldn't cope and eventually left us with bills and such. However, then my kids wouldn't be how they are and I adore them. So, despite all that, I think I would still marry the deadbeat. I think that I would have gotten into a different field, because of salary reasons. (of course I'm writing this during the poor economy times) I love teaching and know based on my data driven instruction that I'm effective, but autism is an uber expensive disorder, so I would have chosen a different career. In 10 years, I hope to be happy and healthy. I'm going to get there by trying to take care of myself. Patty (Star) Odom is one of my oldest friends. We met at Coolidge and I'm not sure why we clicked. I think our personalities and tastes in people were very different in some ways. But when it came down to it, we basically liked people that had good character and didn't like people that didn't have good character. In the end that similarity prevailed. Patty is a teacher, too, so we talk about our field all the time when we find time to go shopping or see each other. She is an amazing mom, which I admire. She has been a huge Shirley supporter throughout the majority of my life, now. I lean on her strength and adore her. I don't know what would surprise everone at my high school reunion. Maybe that I have a son with autism? That usually surprises people. They feel bad for me. Then they try to say something encouraging like "God chose me special for my son." People are always surprised when they find out that he didn't have autism and after his 18 month vaccines he stopped talking and regressed into autism. Just like most of the kids with autism's moms share with me happened to their children. My first job was at Lee's Shortstop, where I got paid $5.00 an hour to work. What I remember most about it is all my friends and people that I know that would come in while I was working.