Chloe Harper Dybus was born on June 8, 2014. After 33 long hours of labor, there she was...my heart, and my world. Before long, she was babbling, crawling, eating, walking, running, giggling, and doing everything an infant would do. But at 18 months, based on pediatric milestones for her age, by then, she should have been saying at least 6-10 words. She wasn't saying any. We contacted Early Intervention, and she qualified for speech therapy services. Shortly after we began speech, it was recommended that we add occupational and developmental therapy, too. 

    I started to notice a few things, and so did her therapists. She would flap her arms when she got really excited, and she would line things up, according to the rainbow spectrum...you know, ROY G. BIV?? It was super cute, but also a couple red flags that we needed to get her evaluated by a Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrician.

    Soon, she turned 3, and began preschool to continue therapy services through the state. The child study team evaluated her, and recommended a doctor evaluation as well. It was determined that Chloe was on the mild to moderate end of the Autism Spectrum. What do you do with that information? We were already doing everything we were supposed to be doing...it just had a name now. This was the beginning of our journey as a special needs family.

    I was diagnosed with MS in September 2009, and we have been participating in Walk MS events since 2011. Naturally, we began looking for Autism events as well. This year, the Eagles Autism Challenge came across my radar, and I was driven to participate in the 5K. I set a goal to RUN this 5K...but...I don't run. Even though I can walk with minimal gait issues, running may be a different story. Chloe is my world, and as her mother, I WILL GIVE HER THE BEST OF THIS WORLD. I would carry her the whole 3.1 miles if I could, and next year I might. I will crawl this 5K if I have too, because my daughter WILL see her mother be strong, so one day...SHE CAN BE MIGHTY AND FIERCE. She will have every opportunity, and endless possibilities. That's what this event means to my family.