The Cano Family

With each diagnosis of Autism, old dreams are shattered and then new and different ones are rebuilt. Parents in our organization have become lifelong friends and much of that is the result of an unspoken understanding of the work required to build these new dreams. We prepare ourselves for a different kind of life and then come to redefine what we know about our kids.

Andrew Cano was diagnosed with Autism in the Fall of 2003. Shortly after, the Cano family transformed their home into a miniature school. Teachers flowed in and out everyday and Andrew flourished under this intense behavioral teaching program. The Cano family spent their days learning how to reach their son and devoted their lives to helping him. New dreams were being built for them.

In a year, Andrew had the beginnings of language, was toilet trained, had blossoming social skills, and was independent in the majority of his daily life skills. He ate well, played well, and was on the road to a bright future.

However, things changed in January of 2005. Andrew began regressing and seemed generally unwell both emotionally and physically. Andres and Sue insisted to his physicians that something was wrong. They were met with responses less than sympathetic and were told their son’s symptoms were a result of his Autism and nothing more. After countless conversations, they brought their son to the doctor again. This time they were armed with a videotape of Andrew from the month before. Upon seeing the videotape, and understanding the loss of functioning that had occurred, Andrew was admitted to University hospital.

This began a six-week hospital stay and a heartbreaking journey through yet another devastating diagnosis. Andrew was diagnosed with a virus that was attacking his brain. The prognosis and understanding of this virus was ambiguous. He lost functioning both physically and mentally. He no longer spoke; he didn’t recognize his parents; he couldn’t feed himself; and he couldn’t walk. He was functioning at the level of an infant. The Cano family watched as Andrew lost all the skills he had developed. The Cano family watched while feeling like they had lost their Andrew.

Here lies the miracle of the story. Unlike so many of us, who would find this journey unbearable and fall under the weight of it, the Cano family took their child home and began their intensive home program all over again. They taught Andrew everything again. They taught him how to eat, walk, and speak. When that was accomplished, they began re-teaching various programs and even managed to toilet train Andrew once again. Yet again, Andrew is flourishing and the Cano family has persevered in bringing their Andrew back.

What we want for our families is to provide the support and tools necessary to survive the tough times. What we have now is a role model. The model of a family who has shown that determination is the result of unconditional love. Success is the result of that determination.

The Cano family story is about love and perseverance. They are four beautiful hearts working together to become heroes in an exhausting journey. What they have achieved together is more than many people face in a lifetime and we have been honored to call them part of the FEAT of CNY family. They are gracious in the most trying situations and optimistic during what would have brought the rest of us to our knees. Their love for their children has moved mountains and will continue to inspire families for years to come.