I became a single mom foster parent to open my heart and home to children in need of a safe place. My itty bit entered my home as a 3 month old foster child. He was born drug addicted and exposed. My foster home was the first safe place he ever had to call home. During the pandemic, parental rights were terminated and he was diagnosed with autism at age 2. I adopted him and he officially became my forever son at age 3. Today, I have a smart, cuddly, and adventurous autistic preschooler who always wants to “go have fun”.
I grew up cruising, and have many fun memories from those adventures. I want my son to have fun cruising experiences! He loves to swim, he is fascinated by boats, and he enjoys random dance parties. I know he will love all the fun a cruise has to offer. I have wanted this for him, but did not know if I could navigate all the ins and outs of cruising as a single mom with an autistic son. We have gone on other adventures (camping, trips to closer beaches, trips to visit family, days at the zoo, etc.), but we have not been able to go on a larger trip like this as a family.
Our small family lives each day impacted by the direct effects of autism. My itty bit and I have experienced many wonderful moments, but autism has changed the way we are able to approach events that others are able to do on a regular basis. I try to be a strong amazing super mom that pushes through to give him every possible opportunity, but I knew I couldn’t take my son on a cruise without professional support. I was fortunate to discover Autism on the Seas, who will make this vacation possible for us! We planned a cruise for Fall 2023!
Autism on the Seas is a non-profit company that allows families like ours to experience a vacation that I didn’t believe would be possible for us. They arrange specific special needs accommodations with the cruise lines and they provide professionally qualified staff to assist us with expedited port check-in, meal assistance, pool time supervision, beach excursions, respite (time for the itty bit to be well cared for while I get to rest - imagine that!), and many other perks and assistance.
Given that his IEP provides him with 1:1 support staff during preschool hours, I have decided to additionally request a 1:1 support person for the cruise to meet his unique needs. The monetary goal I have for this cruise funding campaign is approximately equal to the additional funds required to provide our family with the professional support needed for this cruise adventure (AotS standard support services, AotS 1:1 support services, kids club fees (he will be able to go with his support staff), and additional funds for other add on activities.
I am looking forward to watching him laugh, learn, and explore on this amazing adventure!
