A Look Into Our Window

By Eugenia Ortega

ROMANS 5:3-4

"[W]e also glory on our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." 

As you read these heartfelt, raw stories, your heart will be moved. It will bring you laughter and tears. You will be transported in time and

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trilogy Christian Publishing
• Release date: Nov 29, 2023
• ISBN: 9798890411143

Eugenia Ortega

Eugenia Ortega is a Mexican-American author. She is married with four young adult children and lives on the west coast of the USA.

Book preview

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A Look Into Our

Window

Navigating Severe Autism:

A Story of Faith and Love

Eugenia Ortega

A Look Into Our Window

Trilogy Christian Publishers A Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Trinity Broadcasting Network

2442 Michelle Drive Tustin, CA 92780

Copyright © 2023 by Eugenia Ortega

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture references are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.TM Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked hcsb are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®. Copyright © 2004 Holman Bible Publishers. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without written permission from the author. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

Rights Department, 2442 Michelle Drive, Tustin, CA 92780.

Trilogy Christian Publishing/TBN and colophon are trademarks of Trinity Broadcasting Network.

For information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Trilogy Christian Publishing.

Trilogy Disclaimer: The views and content expressed in this book are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect the views and doctrine of Trilogy Christian Publishing or the Trinity Broadcasting Network.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.

ISBN: 979-8-89041-113-6

E-ISBN: 979-8-89041-114-3

INTRODUCTION

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:11-13

I have a wonderful husband and four amazing children whom I love more than words can say. This book contains several stories from my life, and its focus is my relationship with our youngest son, Dante. My desire is that you will feel refreshed and encouraged by what you read.

You will learn that you are not alone, and most important, that there is hope. In fact, as long as you are breathing, there is always hope.

You may be going through something similar, or maybe you know someone who is. You may simply be seeking knowledge of what special needs people and their families go through on a day-to-day basis. You may be surprised to learn that typical and special needs people have more in common than many realize.

Dante has severe Autism. He is non-verbal. Like many others who have autism, he also has severe OCD, anxiety, and ADHD.

My husband, Arturo, and I have given a great deal of attention to Dante because of his severe needs. Sadly, many times, and unintentionally, we have neglected the needs of our other children. I intend to open a window of transparency into our lives, and maybe, just maybe, you will be inspired and see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I do want to add that what I share in these next pages is not any professional advice. I share many of my flaws and weaknesses. Most of my stories are troubling ones. I also write about some of Dante’s worst times and experiences. This is not the usual orderly, chronologically arranged book with all the chapters about the same length; these are snapshots of what we lived through as I describe the feelings and thoughts I had. Some are written as though they are happening now, although they are from the past.

I share with vulnerability, not to say what is right or wrong. It is simply our reality and a reality for some of you out there, one that is often hidden. I share it to inspire and prayerfully encourage you to have hope.

Chapter 1

If this were a fairy tale, it would begin like this; Once upon a time, there was a young couple living in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., with their three little children. The husband was an up-and-coming engineer working in the corporate world and providing for his family. The wife was a stay-at-home mom who was doing her best to be a good Christian and an overall woman. Their children were eight, two and a half, and 11 months old. Sounds nice, right?

We had a busy yet manageable life, but a big surprise was about to arrive in the Ortega home via the stork. It was totally unexpected – I was using birth control, but my IUD had accidentally moved outside my uterus. I couldn’t believe it! I was pregnant with our fourth child.

After I got over the shock, my pregnancy was normal. Don’t get me wrong; I’ve always wanted to have a big family. I am grateful for my beautiful family, but I had to be realistic. I wasn’t sure I could handle more on my plate. However, I guess God saw things differently.

Although I said things were manageable before, that quickly became not the case. My husband worked full-time in a demanding job, and he was also in school full-time for his EMBA. He attended George Mason University every night after work. Then, when he was at home, he had a lot of studying to do and was simply exhausted.

We had not planned for four children. Three were more than enough. To be honest, I was hoping they would tell me, Sorry, your home pregnancy test was incorrect. You are not pregnant. However, I was definitely pregnant, and I wasn’t happy about it. It embarrasses me to confess this, but it is the truth. It makes me feel awful because I do love Dante very much. Yet, I still didn’t know God’s plan!

I trust in Him, even though sometimes it’s not easy to do. During this period, I desperately prayed on my knees, begging Him to help me, and He did. I read my Bible, digging for answers, and meditated on His word. The scripture in the introduction, from Jeremiah 29, is a popular one, and for good reason. It is one of my favorites, as it always encourages my heart and soul. God’s plan is to prosper me, not to harm me. The only thing I have to do is to seek Him with all my heart. It helped me then, and it helps me now. It gives me great comfort to know that He is taking care of me and that it will be okay. All I have to do is be still, believe Him, and seek Him wholeheartedly.

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.

Psalm 37:7

Everything went well. I delivered a healthy, beautiful, and perfect-looking baby boy. Dante was my best-behaved child yet. He was easygoing and only cried or fussed when he was hungry, tired, or needed to be changed. He met all the milestones at the right times during his first year.

When I think back about how he was such an angelic child that first year, it brings tears to my eyes. If I could only go back to that time for a moment, I would cherish every second. I would not complain