Michelle Omana:  

I am married with 2 wonderful children ages 7 and 10. I retired from Corporate America/Healthcare when my son was diagnosed with Autism at age 22 months. Mitch is now an honor roll student in regular classes because of the therapy/help he has received since the age of 2. Mitch started school at UCP of Central Florida on his 2nd Birthday. I will never forget seeing children in wheelchairs, body braces and helmets. This was the most eye opening experience I could have ever imagined. Throughout school we were never exposed to children with special needs of this magnitude. My first insinct was that my child does not belong here and look for the nearest exit. I sat in his classroom for 4 days and realized that these are children just like any other children with the exception that they have different hurdles to jump.It was a great feeling to see thier different personalities and the fact that they wanted to be treated just like any other child. My hat goes off to the children and parents of Special Needs children.I have seen some of these children grow over the years. There were some children that did not walk or talk and today against the odds they are able to do that. I realized at that point how inportant life really is. This is why I gave up my promising career as an Area Manager for a Medical Records company and became an advoc...Expand for more