Debbie Page:
CLASS OF 1968
Ferndale High SchoolClass of 1968
Ferndale, MI
Lincoln Junior High SchoolClass of 1964
Ferndale, MI
Debbie's Story
After graduation I moved to Royal Oak to live with my dad and step mom. I worked full time and got my favorite car, a 1966 red mustang! I got married in June 1969. After apartments we bought our first house in Oak Park. Five years later we had a son, Jay. Jay was diagnosed with autism in 1979 and I was divorced in 1980.
I spent the next 17 years raising Jay alone and keeping up the house. Jay was more than a full time job! I reactivitated the Oakland County Autistic Society and joined political action groups. I managed to go to school and earn an associated degree. I did not have much time without Jay as he has always been 1 on 1.
I moved to Charlotte, NC in 2007 as Jay has been here for years. His dad had moved here and found there were independent living situations for him here that were not available in Michigan. I now am back in the rol...Expand for more
e of advocate for him.
I am a project assistant and run several ongoing projects for the company. I am very active with Autism Services who operate group homes and a workshop. I enjoy it very much. I enjoy the fundraising. I am going to take a grant and proposal writing class and home to do more to help him.
LIfe has not been what it seemed growing up in Pleasant Ridge. We did not see the real world, not just in Pleasant Ridge, but in school. NOt as worldly as the kids are now. It has been a hard life, but my son is my heart and I would not change my course of dedication to him. My regret is that Jay will never have the choices I had or opportunities to make his own decisions.
I hope everyone is well. Love to hear from my friends of FHS. Many I grew up with from Roosevelt to Lincoln Jr. HIgh to Ferndale and also DRayton Presbyterian Church.
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