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By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices
When I say that Holly Robinson Peete is a superwoman, I really mean it.
With all of her philanthropic efforts and her continuously evolving acting career I had no idea she was suffering the challenges of parenting a child with a disability.
In the May edition of 'Essence,' the '21 Jump Street' star opened up about her eldest son being diagnosed with autism, and the effect it had on her marriage to former NFL quarterback Rodney Peete.
"I was going to leave my husband ..." she revealed.
Because of his work schedule, the former Philadelphia Eagle was largely absent -- gone half the year for training and regular season play -- meaning that the actress did the child rearing on her own.
Rodney Jr. (pictured fourth from left) was diagnosed with autism at age three.
"I knew we had to roll up our sleeves and not go into denial," she explained. "With autism, early intervention is important. We had to get those therapies going."
Raising an autistic child has been painfully educational, she admitted.
"You really find out who your friends are," she confided. "When your kids is struggling at 4, being disruptive, and he stops getting invited to parties and play date, it hurts."
Peete, who recently landed a role in the ABC pilot 'Football Wives,' added that she didn't want to do film work and be away from her children for extended periods of time.
Her time at home has been well spent.
Rodney, Jr. is "now a personable boy in the process of being mainstreamed at school," the magazine reports.
"I had this moment when Rod was in this school where many of the kids were much more severely affected than he was -- he was like the poster boy," she recalled. "That's when I thought, This could be so much worse."
Thankfully for Holly Robinson Peete, it wasn't.
And we all welcome her back to primetime network television with open arms.
Next month, the networks roll out their line-up to see which are appetizing to advertisers. 'Football Wives,' described as a dramedy based on the popular British soap 'Footballers' Wives,' sounds like a winner, with a cast which includes Gabrielle Union, Ving Rhames, James Van DerBeek and Brian J. White.
Comments: (34)
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By: La'Wanda M. Hayes on 5/26/2007 12:29AM
Holly, my hat is off to you! I had heard from numerous people about the interview you had about a month ago CNN, which sadly, I missed. However, I had both the priviledge and opportunity to read your June 4, 2007 interview in People magazine and let me tell you, my eyes welled up with tears simply because for once, I could relate with someone who had walked in my personal shoes. Reading the article was as if I was reading my own personal story with yes, a bright, intelligent, handsome carmel colored sweetie who's now age 6. Jonathan Alexander was diagnosed with Autism at 14-16 months. It too was devastating and heartwrenching. My son now communicates in both english and spanish; he's a natural with numbers,has a photographic memory of all information (he's truly a walking, human sponge); It's truly been both a joy and yes, the icing on the cake for me is hearing my son look into my eyes and telling me, "I love you so much mommy! Te quiero much mama!" He not only knows and is very aware of who he has, where he is, his surroundings, but when he deems it appropriate he commuicates in both english and spanish to get his point across. I think that the most distressing thing in the past six years,is yes, battling with the demons, all of the negative suggestions, stares, and total ignorance from strangers, friends and family. I'm a single parent residing in ATL, who has reinvented myself, thankfully as a result of my son and others like him. Along with being extremely active within the community and schools, I'm actively seeking the opportunity to become a parent advocate in which I would be able to educate, support and guide those who lack sufficient resources both within the households of english as well as within the latin american community. I look at my child, reflect on our past lives together and I know without a shadow of a doubt that in keeping with God's word and promise that he will be a productive, self-sufficient, independent young man. My deepest concern is for those children whose parents lack the finance assistance, knowledge, savvy, education, self-iniative and assertiveness to get their child(ren) through this traumatic ordeal. Hearing you making the difference in your son's life and meeting those once challenging miles stones, provides me with the affirmation that when you put God first, perservere and just stand, any mountain can be moved. It's not about all well you obviously have it going on with maintaining your appearance (looks mean absolutely nothing in this lifetime if we haven't fully served-fulfilled our God-given purposes in life. I applaud you for simply being you. . .never waivering nor doubtful that your child will succeed as your typical have. . .for realizing that although this too is an extremely challenging part of your life, it's not the end and what can 'WE' as women, as mothers do to reach out to lend our support, love and guidance to others. . .be it through words of encourage, prayers, or a simple heart felt hug. Thank you so very much for openingly sharing such an intimate part of your life. Although the road for myself has been difficult and much of my personal life and goals have been placed on hold, the blessing is that I never truly lost who I was. . .I've just been reborn into a wonderful mother and role module to help further educate those professionals within our school systems and yes, often times the healthcare professionals that not only are they not God nor do they have all of the answers, but it's mothers-women such as ourselves who have been blessed with the ability to reach out and literally pull an innocent, trapped child out of their personal isolation. May the spirit and peace of God always forever be with you. Sincerely,
LJHayes of ATL
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By: P Michalke on 5/26/2007 7:18PM
THANK YOU FOR COMING FORWARD; THANK YOU ALSO FOR THE LINK YOU MADE WITH YOUR SON'S DECLINE SO CLOSELY FOLLOWING HIS VACCINES. THIS IS A STORY PLAYING OUT ALL OVER THE WORLD AND YOUR BRAVERY IN LINKING WHAT IS CLEARLY A CAUSE AND EFFECT MAY WAKE UP PARENTS TO CLOSELY WATCH THEIR CHILDREN AND DECIDE WHEN, IF EVER, IS THE BEST TIME TO VACCINATE. ONLY A PARENT KNOWS WHAT'S BEST, AND HOLLY'S BRINGING THESE ISSUES TO THE SURFACE MAY BE THE START OF SAVING THE NEXT GENERATION OF KIDS FROM A FRIGHTENING DISABILITY
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By: chris on 5/27/2007 8:04PM
I am amazed how long it seems to get the word out on Autism. I am a mother of a 12 yrs old Autistic son. He is truly a blessing in my life. Life is usually crazy! But my son shows me parts of life, we are all rushing through life and miss. He sees those amazing gifts that God is showing us all.If we'd just stop and see the world through those innocent, wonderful eyes. God bless you and your family!
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By: tauseef on 6/28/2007 10:04AM
only for him!!!
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