A Father’s Journey Through Autism, Adversity, and Growth : My Crossroads.

Being at a crossroad is the most beautiful thing that exists in life. Yes, it's beautiful — I know you’re probably thinking that, what I am saying is absurd. When you are at crossroads, it means you have a decision to make. I know that standing in front of it and calculating which road to follow may cause you anxiety.

You’re afraid you might make the wrong decision. You’re afraid your family and society might judge you. Well, there’s no need to be afraid, and I will explain why.

Imagine, then, that instead of crossroads, you only have one road in front of you—no choices, no freedom, no future. That is the road I found myself on.

To be able to understand the story I’m about to tell you, I should inform you that I have been married for 22 years and have 2 sons.
One was born on the 11/02/2005 and the other on the 19/03/2006.

In November 2007, I travelled to Austria to start a job at the ALDI company, a large discount company. The plan was to go to Austria, train there for 8 months, and then return to Greece to participate in the gradual launch of the stores in Greece.

In January 2008, as I returned home for one week, we took my older son to a developmental pediatrician because I had noticed a few things that weren't normal for his age.
He lacked eye contact, didn't turn when called, and other small things.

I will never forget my wife's reaction when she told me that the doctor said he was on the autism spectrum. Her whole world crumbled.
In that moment, my whole being was destroyed. For the first 2 years, I didn't know how to manage it.

I thought I was facing a dead end that gave me no options.
I felt imprisoned.
Until one day, I realized I was blaming society, the school, and everyone else around me. As I wrote down my thoughts, I ended up writing this:

There are two ways to deal with a situation. One is to retreat into yourself, blame everyone else around you, and fall into depression.
The other is to go out into the society, help the society to understand and help you. And then help those around you.

That is the moment my own crossroads appeared before me. People are always faced with such crossroads. Moments which tests us to the extreme.

I had to make a decision:

The decision I made was to help myself first so that I could help those around me.

I started helping in community affairs, I started helping at the PTA, I started speaking in schools through the The Tipping Point (I do mentoring 45’ to children from 13-18 and teachers in Greek schools on management, AI and Business), I started talking with parents whose children have problems, I started helping the people around me achieve their goals.

And all this because, as earlier mentioned at the beginning, I realized through what happened to me that being at a crossroads is the most beautiful thing in life.

I have seen parents who must say goodbye to their children due to illnesses. When you have seen all this, you learn and know how to appreciate the small things and the small successes.

Today, my son is 20 years old and he is studying at the university in Thessaloniki together with his mother.

Is this easy?
No.

Does it require continuous effort?
Yes.

Do I know what will happen in the future?
No.

The only thing we can do is to listen to others for inspiration and filter the information we receive. I have a favorite saying which is:

In the end, everything will be alright, and if it is not, then it is not the end!

Always keep trying!!!

With Respect,

Kiriakos Vaikos