Impact

When I think of the loss of our boy, I also think about the impact he had. 

On me. 

Us. 

The special needs community. 

The world. 

Sometime in 2011/2012, we decided to pick up the camera and film our life as we found ways to teach Kreed. 

Communication. 

Life skills. 

Play skills. 

About this world. 

We filmed him whether he was happy or angry or sad or hoppy. We didn’t feel a need to sensor our experience as I’m sure many in the world wished we would. Because that was our life, even if he was trying to slam his head into his knee or floor or give me kisses and ask for five guys. I never wanted to diminish our experience by only posting the good. 

At that point in time, there were few videos of people using an AAC device. There were few providers that knew how to teach it, at least for a kid like Kreed. We bought a device off eBay after we found the state supplied one had run its course and I was tired of recording my own voice ha. 

And so it began. We found a speech therapist that finally, finally could guide us and we took off. And Tobii Dynavox finally made a device tailor made for Kreed it seemed and his communication flew. And we filmed everything because Kreed had his communication device in every situation. 

Through our filming, Kreed built up “fans” and people who loved to see what he would say next. Or hope. For the families who had no idea that communication was possible for a child or teen or adult like Kreed. All I ever wanted was for Kreed to live his best life and in doing so maybe we could make an impact on other families with severe autism. 

We never knew this road would lead to his death, and our social media life would turn into grief writing and writing about loss. 

But through it all, after the loss of our whole world, even two years later, I know Kreed made an impact in this world. At least for now, he isn’t forgotten. His lessons live on. He taught us so much- mostly how to truly live this life and take in everything around us and that anything is possible. He taught us to live without limits. And that will forever be the impact he left on this world and us.