My Son's Amazing Weekend
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I would like to thank the Fauquier County Fair, The Fauquier County Sheriff's Department and Eudora Farms
of Salley, SC for giving my son an amazing weekend.
My six year old son Evan is autistic with limited communication skills but a sweet disposition. I told him we would go to the fair and there would be lots of animals and he could ride a camel if he wanted. Well, he REALLY wanted to ride that camel. Mike Nesbit and his crew from Eudora Farms greeted him like they had been waiting for him all day every time we were at the foot of the stairs despite Evan not really responding when they engaged him. They called him by name and would go an extra circle or slip him a cup of feed when we passed through the petting zoo. It was like therapeutic "camelback" riding. I love those guys and I will plead with whomever I need to in order to have them back next year.
Because of Evan's limited communication I worry he won't be able to answer questions asked of him if he becomes hurt or separated from an adult. I approached MANY members of the Sheriff's department and asked them to ask Evan a few simple questions like his name and the names of his parents (he can't yet answer his age, address or phone number but we're working on it). EACH officer took the time to take off their sunglasses and get down on Evan's level and spoke very kindly to him. A few even approached Evan on their own as we passed them later in the day. I am VERY grateful for their sincerity when they realized he would be a tough one if they met him under more dire circumstances.
I know a lot of people go to the fair for something to do but I'm so grateful for all the opportunities Evan had to grow and experience things that have expanded his vocabulary, his bravery and his interaction with other adults he can go to. His world isn't as small as it was Thursday morning.
Emily Yurgaitis
Bealeton
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