A Great Grandfather and Autism

By Kate Swenson | November 6, 2019

It’s been almost ten months since Pop went home to heaven. He was 82 years young and it still is a big transition and heartbreak for our family. He was hilarious, full of faith, and a lifelong learner.  Our eldest son Emmett was diagnosed with autism at three and a half years old, long before this I was reading books and studying everything I could in early intervention because my heart knew it would be a benefit for him. Alongside me, through it all, was Pop, reading everything I read,…

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Call Baapa

By Kate Swenson | November 17, 2018

“Call Baapa. Call Baapa. Call Baapa. Call Baapa. Call Baapa.” Conor repeated this over and over and over (and over and over) while he paged through a book on the living room floor. He was stuck. This has started happening more lately and it always breaks me. As I stood there silent I couldn’t stop the tears from rolling down my cheeks again. I just wish his brain worked right, the thought swept over me again for the 100th time that week. Conor was diagnosed with Fragile X Syndrome shortly after his second…

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