Read below for a guest post from Ron Sandison.
My development began normally until eighteen months. At that time I began to rapidly regress, losing the ability to communicate words I had previously learned and ceasing to have eye contact. Raising a son with autism began my mom’s career as an advocator. As I entered kindergarten, the school specialists labeled me as emotionally impaired. My mom refused this label and told the professionals, “My son’s disability is not emotional but neurological.” She diligently researched the top professionals in learning disabilities and paid to have me tested. Neuropsychologist Dr. Dotto confirmed that my disability was neurological.
My mom continued to advocate for me to receive tutoring and additional help in the classroom. When I was bullied, she advocated to the principal. Every night my mom and dad would assist me with my homework. Through my mom’s endurance, by eighth grade I was in mainstream education.
In the spring of 1994, my mom and I finally reached a roadblock beyond our control. In my junior year of high school, my life was on the right track. I had committed my life to serving Christ. I made the honor roll two straight semesters, was a star athlete in track, and memorized over 2,000 Scriptures.
That spring, our 3,200 meter relay team finished 12th in the State of Michigan. As we drove back from the state final, Nate, the anchor on our relay, commented to Coach Budd, “Next year we could be the fastest 3,200 relay but Ron will be past the age requirement!”
God spoke to my heart and said, “I will make a way for you.”
I said, “God will provide a way for me to compete.”
I was past the MHSAA age requirement by three months because I had repeated kindergarten. My mom and I believed that God would provide a way for me to run and we prayed daily for a miracle. In May of 1994, as my senior year quickly approached, my mom contacted the MHSAA and they stated, “Due to your son being past the age requirement we will not allow him to compete!” My parents contacted attorneys and learned that a lawsuit would cost over $40,000.
As the cross-country season drew near, the circumstances seemed hopeless. My mom told me, “There’s nothing we can do now but trust God and place your track season into His hands. He has seen all your hard work and determination.”
In June 1994, I returned from a five mile run and grabbed the Detroit Free Press. I saw on the front page an article about Craig Stanley, a fellow athlete past the age requirement. Our situations were remarkably similar. We both were born in May 1975, each of us repeated early elementary grades, we were both cross-country and track runners. Most importantly, Craig and I both had faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. My mom immediately contacted his family. Our families met and we joined forces in prayer.
After I rededicated my life to Christ, God placed on my heart a desire to be re-baptized to demonstrate my commitment to Christ. I was baptized at nine-months-old. The day I was baptized, I said my first word: “Mom.”
On Sunday June 10, 1994, I was baptized by Pastor Rob. As Pastor Rob lifted me from the water, he said, “God has given me a word: Joel 2:25 – ‘I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten- the great locust and young locust, the other locust and the locust swarm- my great army that I sent among you.’ Your blessings will begin today.”‘
When I got home and checked the answering machine, I had an unexpected message from attorney Rick Landau stating, “I believe your case will set precedent for the American Disabilities Act and I want to represent you pro bono.”
Ron running the 3,200 relay in the State Final in 1994
On August 25, 1994, just six hours before my first cross-country meet, U.S. District Court Judge Feikens granted a temporary restraining order to allow Craig and me to participate in cross-country and track. Twenty days later, Judge Feikens instated a permanent injunction allowing us to compete for the rest of the season.
My mom’s advocacy helped me have a defining moment as our 3,200 relay team set the school record and ran the second fastest time out of 182 teams. During this season, God called me to be in the ministry. Michigan Christian College, now Rochester College, gave me an athletic scholarship for cross-country and track. I finished my freshman year making the Dean’s List and received an academic scholarship to Oral Roberts University. Six years later, I graduated with a master of divinity with highest honors.
My mom encourages parents of special needs children, “Advocate, advocate, advocate, and when your child is mature he or she will be an advocator.”
Ron Sandison works full time in the medical field and is a professor of theology at Destiny School of Ministry. He has a Master of Divinity from Oral Roberts University and is currently writing, The Christian Concise Guide to Autism. Ron and his wife, Kristen, reside in Rochester Hills, MI, with their pet rabbit, Babs, and cat, Frishma. You can contact Ron on Facebook or email him at sandison456@hotmail.com.
My husband & I heard your presentation in Port Huron, MI. It was excellent!!! We bought your book and will be reading that. We learned so much from you as you related the story of your childhood and the road blocks you faced growing up. You are such an inspiration by sharing how you worked through your difficulties. Your mother was so persistent. Keep up the good work.
I’m a father of a child with autism. I recently developed software to help track my son’s appointments with therapists, record his reports, and keep a record of our purchases for his care.
I’d like to offer the online cloud-based software free of charge to any parent with a special needs child. You can get more information here: https://www.bizstim.com/news/article/free-plan-special-needs-children
If parents need help using the software, have questions, or would like to suggest improvements, I want to work closely with you to improve the tool and diminish the burdens I know you face.
This article is a true blessing to me. God placed this article in my sight for a reason . Thank you!!
I would like to read your book.
Thanks, Joseph, working on getting it published now. In God’s time. I keep everyone updated on my book.
Ron S.
Wow. What an inspirational story. Both you and your Mother exemplify what “Faith” truly is. You are amazing, as is your Mother. Through Him ALL things are possible. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Amy. It has been a long road to recovery. God is faithful and with the help of God and my mom, I have been able to be an overcomer autism. I share my story in the book I am writing on autism. Blessings,
Ron S.
What a wonderful, encouraging story! My grandchildren have special needs and I will share this with my daughter who oftentimes needs to hear an encouraging word!
Kathy, thanks for your encouraging words. My journey with autism as been a challenging path but filled with the love and grace of God.
Oh what a powerful story and testimony to God’s enduring faith and a mother’s endless strength and belief in her son! Wow. It brings me such joy to see how God moved in your life and continues to use your passion for Him and for His Purpose through your journey, Ron.
May you continue to ‘run the race’ and allow God’s grace to spread through the hearts that need your voice and your passion to live a faith-filled life!
Thanks, Chris.
It has been an amazing journey seeing the awesome things God is able to accomplish when we fully give our life to Christ and his call. Blessings
This is very encouraging. I am on a group on facebook called Asperger Syndrome Awareness. They posted in the group with a link to this page, that only 5% of the churches in America are equipped to handle kids with ASD. It struck very close to home, in the heart of it actually. When my kids were just 12 months and 2 years and 3 months old, I was serving in the music ministry at a church. I was told I was not allowed to bring my children to church, because they might hit another child, that child hit my child back, and I sue them. Seriously?!? I was flabbergasted. Both of my children have “classic Autism”. My son has Apraxia, is now 13, and speech is very difficult for him. He’s never regularly attended a church in his life.
When we moved I tried out another church. I felt led to speak to the pastor of sed church, and tell him about my children. I told him that there was a possibility that they may act out during services, as the “children’s church” was not equipped to “handle” them. That I would hang out in the foyer where we could hear the message, but the kids would not likely disturb services. I was again told, that my children were not welcomed, that something “fool proof” had to be in place so they had no chance of disturbing services. I looked that man in the eye and said “Do you think anything can happen in God’s world without His permission?” and walked out, never to return. I’ve not regularly attended any church in a very very long time.
I am not mad at God. But I am working through my anger at the people who said my children were not welcomed. I’m angry at people who call themselves “Christian” while not practicing love and tolerance for those of us who are not “typical”. If I had really thought there was going to be a big huge issue about it, I would have dealt with it differently I suppose.
Anyway, it’s good to read that you all are advocating and praying and loving yourselves and family members, and others who have had similar experiences. So proud of you Ron & Ron’s mom for never allowing the enemy to keep you from your purposes. Much love and respect to you both.
Thanks, Kelly. Your book is also a blessing for many parents with children of autism. God never ceases to amaze me. Oswald Chambers said it best, “God works where He has us wait.” God was working behind the scene to make a way for me to compete my senior year of high school.
Just reading this, and what a blessing! And the promise: Joel 2:25 – ‘I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten- the great locust and young locust, the other locust and the locust swarm- my great army that I sent among you.’ … one of my favorites!
I’m sharing this! Thanks for sharing it here.
Thanks, Kelly. Your book on autism is also a blessing. God never ceases to amaze me. Oswald Chambers said it best, “God works where He has us wait.” God was working on my behalf as I ran the 500 miles to be prepared for my track season my senior year of high school.
Thanks, Kelly. Your book is also a blessing for many parents with children of autism. God never ceases to amaze me. Oswald Chambers said it best, “God works where He has us wait.” God was working behind the scene to make a way for me to compete my senior year of high school.