Forever Boy: A Mother's Memoir of Autism and Finding Joy

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Kate: We do. And we have two PCAs that we love, but they're at college right now. So finding help here is one of the problems that we have. We've never really figured out the mystery of finding help and good help. My team have worked tirelessly with internal and external colleagues and partners to gather and present the evidence in this case. Their collective hard work and dedication led has helped achieve justice for the young boy and his family. Kate and her son Cooper are an amazing example of a great unconditional love between a mother and her child. With her popular blog, Finding Cooper's Voice , Kate Swenson has provided hope and comfort for hundreds of thousands of parents of children with Autism. Now, Kate shares her inspiring story in this powerful memoir about motherhood and unconditional love

Mary: Well, I doubt you're going to say the same thing because it was, but it was such a good one. Like, it's my top favorite answer out of 170 episodes. But I'll tell you what the answer is after you just answer it now because I think you're probably. You know, because the world is just so different in the last two years, so what are your stress reduction or self-care tips? Mary: And you did. Besides Finding Cooper's Voice. I mean, one of the ways you coped with those viral videos and just a lot of the negativity was you started a small paid group within Facebook called Coop's Troops. And I know I've been a part of it since the very beginning, and I know many of my listeners have also joined because I see them there. And that's a really nice small group for very little fee. Facebook charges to have a more intimate group where, I mean, there's still a few thousand people in there, but it's a more intimate group. And I mean, I think you're very positive about that group and feel supported there.Plus, can someone show me “severe autism” in the DSM so we can ALL fully comprehend the difference of diagnosing someone with “SEVERE AUTISM” compared to “NONSEVRRE Autism”?? That’s right…It DOES NOT Exist!! Also, we are in 2022, its about time even Mom’s with Autistic children…STOP saying “My child with Autism”! It’s hard not to question why. Why the eff didn’t anyone notice this earlier? Why are there so many hoops to access early intervention and later supports. Why does it become another full-time job to navigate this system? And the worry: Should I be doing more? Is he happy? The advice at the end was a nice bonus. She’s been through some things. Can’t think of another book on autism that mentions the literal sweat. This book was so hard and made me cry so much. But I’m glad I read it. You can’t hold your grief in forever. Sometimes that is the hardest thing. Those awful days where you feel all alone. Questioning how you will make it through. Hating that everyone calls you strong. Friends and family may fail you. Things look bleak. You feel your feelings and then you go give your kid a hug. And start all over again. Harvey was perfect when he came into the world and he will go out that way. He never caused ill will, he did no harm, he wronged nobody, he was and will forever be a son we can be proud of. Kate: And you just said it's been two years since we last talked. I can't believe that that's crazy. So much has happened.

When Kate Swenson's son Cooper was diagnosed with severe, nonverbal autism, her world stopped. She had always dreamed of having the perfect family life. She hadn't signed up for life as a mother raising a child with a disability.Kate: Yeah, so I knew nothing about autism. Honestly, I don't even know if I'd ever heard the word got pregnant with my first son, had a very typical pregnancy. He was born on December 6th, a very cold day in Minnesota. And right away, I could tell that something was just a little bit different. I could tell that he was different from the other newborns next to him. Honestly, my friend's kids, I had been around a lot of babies and just a little bit different, a little unique, I like to say. And he was diagnosed with autism at, I think it was three months shy of age four, but he could have been diagnosed at nine months. I mean, if there was any possible person that would have done it, it would have been a lot sooner. He's now 11. He is thriving. He is happy. He's in fifth grade. He's a middle schooler next year and he has taught me so much about parenting and life and the world in general, which I think is one of the unique gifts that autism gives us. And I'm just so happy to share his story and educate the unassuming person about how this is OK and it's OK to be different, and it's OK to say hi and share our life. What a talent, what a career, what a life, and what a treat to relive it all with this most down-to-earth of demigods.

She turned those frustrations and frights into being a strong supportive mother who wouldn’t change a thing about her son.

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Gun crime is so damaging, there are never any winners. While no sentence can ever change the tragic events of that day, I hope that it provides some comfort to the boy and his family as they continue to rebuild their lives. Kate: Yeah. So our family, we're our family of six, which is hectic and crazier than I ever thought it would be. I hope we can get some sense of, it sounds so silly, but we're just like up and down every day. Every day feels like a new day from the day before. We need to get some sort of consistency and schedule in our life. So that is our goal as the family. Goals for Cooper, I really want him to be able to go to restaurants, fly on an airplane and go to his brother's sports games. Those have been my goals for years and we're doing things to get us there. We're not there yet, but he is making so much progress. And then for me to get through this book launch. And I don't know what's next for me. I really don't know. Keep growing Coop's Troops. I think I just love that group. It makes me so happy. I don't know if I'll write another book. I really don't know, but I think every author says that, but I really don't.