speaking up about autism

 

 

What's your advice to parents on being the best advocate for their children's medical and educational needs? The best advice I can give in terms of being an advocate for your kids is to follow your gut. If you feel like you need to fight for insurance, health, treatments, than you do! If you can't muster up any energy because you are so drained from autism than allow those parents that have that extra energy to do it for you. We are all on the same team. Just know someone is fighting for you even though you can't.

 

Are you pretty protective of Evan? I am very protective of Evan. I'm terrified of germs. If he gets the flu he could have a seizure, so needless to say we have one of the cleanest schools in the country. I'm obsessed with washing hands. And, god forbid, if someone sneezes on Evan, I freak out. I have horrible memories of the hospital and can't imagine ever having to go back.

 

What kind of kid is Evan?

Evan is a ham. He has an amazing sense of humor and loves girls. If you ask him, he has a wife named Andrea and a girlfriend named Catherine. (How typical male is that?)

 

How has your relationship with Jim Carrey helped you in dealing with everything you need to deal with in being a mom? My relationship with Jim has helped me feel safe and trustworthy of love again. I was so hurt from my past that I decided to let go and not look for it. Then BAM, there he was. Funniest guy in the world became my knight in shining armor. He is a great man and a great dad.

 

What is there left for you to do? I'm hoping my talk show gets off the ground. I just finished shooting my pilot for a possible 2011 launch. Fingers and toes crossed. I'm sure there will also be another book on the way soon.

 

What kind of example do you want to be for Evan, and other children? That if you believe in manifestation, anything can happen.