Mathis was eleven…
…October of 2021. When he was born, he was very sick. the fact that he was born prematurely certainly didn’t help. When he was barely two months old, the visits to the hospital began to multiply: repeated pneumonia, severe asthma attacks, hydration problems…
In February 2011, after several episodes of pneumonia, asthma, and others, Mathis was transferred by ambulance to Ste-Justine Hospital. The doctors didn’t know what to do. A week later, after several exams, Mathis wasn’t doing better. He came close – very close – to dying. He was choking and hardly breathing.
Fortunately, we had excellent doctors. He pulled through. He was monitored very closely, and his medication was adjusted several times, but he is healthy now.
Recently, Mathis was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It was a bombshell for us, but not for him. It’s normal for him to be the way he is. He finds social interactions very difficult. With the help of specialists, we are able to manage the situation better. With the help of the Special Needs Project, we were able to offer him developmental camps adapted for children with ASD, to help him reach his goal for the summer of 2021: to play baseball for Les Élites de Lanaudière, at the AA level (U11). He succeeded and had a great season!
He even hit an outfield home run. As they say, anyone can achieve their goals, regardless of their physical and mental condition. Congratulations, Mathis!
Letter Carrier
Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines, QC