Josh's Story

"I AM SORRY WE ARE NOT EQUIPPED TO HANDLE A CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS!"

I have lost count of how many times I have heard this poor excuse from people to remove themselves when they don't have the answers. It is also used to allow them a quick exit from using the extra energy that it would take to include and involve people with disabilities. If your child has Autism, you're not alone in this journey. As the ugly face of isolation appears and tears of pain wells up in you and your child, remember there are no two days the same.  THANK YOU to the people out there that have touched Josh's life.   People whose focus was not on the disability and who have accepted him for who he is. They have not demanded perfection but encourage him to "be the best he can be".  Without them there would have been a loss of opportunities and inclusion.

We are blessed with many good days.

Here is Josh's story:

Fourteen-year-old Josh is a beautiful boy that was officially diagnosed with Autism around the age of 2 - 2 ½. He was a happy, loving, little boy developing fine and in just one day his life changed dramatically. The Doctor told his parents that he would probably never talk or that he would have a limited vocabulary. At 5 1/2 years old he was still needing assistance with many things such as feeding himself, getting dressed and being diapered.  He did not interact with others. He screamed and banged his head for most of the day. This was very heartbreaking for his parents and his seven siblings. However, all of that has come to pass and developmentally he has come a long way. His mom states that some days it is best for the family to keep focused on where he has come from and not where he needs to go. Joshua now has a very busy social life.  He is enjoying being home schooled.  He loves to play with his siblings and ski with Special Olympics. He loves going to church, skating, swimming, drawing and using the computer. He belongs to a Chess Club and likes to tell jokes.  Above all art is his favorite thing to do. 

His parents said, "They both believe in miracles and know God is healing him!  We cannot imagine life without Josh. We are blessed!  He is a gift to us!  We have truly learned so much from him."

Josh's artwork now hangs in the following Art Galleries:  The Autism Institute of San Francisco, The Autism Institute of Minnesota, Kerry's Place in Toronto and The Geneva Centre in Toronto.

Josh has recently written and illustrated a book called "A Child's View on Living with Autism." This book is very informative and would really help people to have an understanding of what it is like living with autism.  We are in the process of looking for a publisher and the book is currently being reviewed by two publishers.

We would like to send a special thank you from our hearts to Pfeiffer Treatment Center, Kerry's Place, Geneva Centre, Jennifer Ashleigh Foundation, Special Olympics, Catulpa Community Support Services, Collingwood E-3 Community Services, Shirley Sutton and Sheila Bannerman. They all have been a tremendous ongoing support for Josh and his family. We are ever so grateful.

 

Josh Bio

Josh Peddle was officially diagnosed with Autism when he was 2 ½ years old. His work was displayed on the front cover of Collingwood Life’s December 2005 issue, in an article called “More Artistic than Autistic.” Featured stories also written in 2006 and 2008.

Josh had his first art show, “Art of Living,” hosted by Kerry’s Place Autism Services and Community Living in Newmarket/Aurora District. He was invited back again in 2007 and 2008, in 2007 his watercolor, “Changing Season” was selected for the invitations and the posters. He won first place art awards at the G.N.E. Fair in 2005, 2006, 2007 in 2008 Josh at 14 years of age was considered a “Professional Artist” and he competed in a category with Professional Artists over 18 yrs., he placed with an honorary mention award.

Josh has won first and second place at the Magic of Children’s Art Show. In 2006 and 2008, the Geneva Center for Autism invited Josh to be an art exhibitor for their “Geneva Centre for Autism International Symposium.”