It was Yaakov’s freshman year he tried out for the high school soccer team and didn’t make it. We noticed some depression happening, and his anxiety was becoming evident in his daily life. Even teachers were complaining about his behavior.

Our son’s original diagnoses was pediatric bipolar and because of the diagnoses and what seemed to be extreme self-hurting behaviors we had decided to put him on medication. When we put him on medication it was one of the hardest decisions of my life.

In a previous post I shared my story of being a runner. As I saw stories of children and their special needs I questioned signing my own son up. He is on the Autism spectrum but high functioning. Many of the families I viewed desperately needed support so I struggled signing Yaakov up to have a runner. 

I have always been a runner. Through middle school and high school I ran Cross Country and Long Distance Track. After graduating I would run off and on for exerciser, but when life got busy I would quickly give it up. Once again I started running it was a needed relief for dealing with my son and his IEP and teachers.  It wasn’t too long after I started running I heard about I run4. I quickly signed up to be a runner for someone who has special needs. I figured it would give me an excuse to continue taking care of myself and in return I could share my adventures and love for running with my buddy.

Now when hitting the road for a run I share my dedication to Autism Awareness for my buddy, Jadhiel and share my love for families and their children that use All in Need!

This was written by Yaakov who is applying to be on leadership for his middle school for next year. He gave permission to allow me to share it. I have taken out what school he will be attending, but other then that these are his words.

As a mother of a child that deals with sensory. You learn the signs of your child’s needs, and you even become sneaky to make sure those needs are met.