I was saddened to receive news from my mother that LA Times columnist Frank del Olmo had passed suddenly.
He was a powerful writer. He chose to write of his journey with his son diagnosed with Autism. He started ABA with his child at about the same time we did, and my mother faithfully sent me his updates as encouragement and information. Most recently in December 2003, Frank del Olmo wrote this moving piece about his son( who is about to enter adolescence)
"My little boy is becoming a young man. He`s going to need more of my time, which is one reason I will write less frequently for this page. He`s also going to need more privacy than I have allowed him. He`ll need to decide how he prefers to cope with autism. So, the two great gifts I can give Frankie this Christmas, and in years to come, are my presence and his privacy. And he shall have them both."
I`m sure we all grieve with this family and this son who have lost a wonderful father and husband.
My heart is with you,
Katherine Lee