"Her parents want her to go to a regular school, go to her prom, marry, - none of these things are in the foreseeable future."


Why do they want her to go to school? It's not that important, truly, Mary.

If she did not have autism she may still choose never to marry.

They must learn to love their daughter with utter freedom. Her life is hers, and it is important. They may feel she is barely functioning, but watch Amanda's film, read her site and you'll learn a very different story.

It is not what WE want for our children that matters, but what they want for themselves.

I have always told my children that whatever they choose in life, that's fine by me, whether it be to marry, to remain single, to live with a donkey, to stay at home, to leave....whatever they want.

School is not important, nor the Prom, nor even marriage...and whilst it would be nice to have grandchildren, it is not on the horizon for us all.

Hailey is their much loved child, and they are blessed to have her, even with all the complications, but if you let go of some of the complications, some of the desires, then life gets just a little easier.

I wish them all well, Mary...and I didn't take offence at your words earlier, not at all. I just wish I could help take some of the pain away for them all.