6 months ago
A father looking for the best for his child with autism quit his job, sold his house in Florida and moved to Western New York looking for better public schools. This is only the first in a long line of sacrifices he's made, sacrifices that are all worth it, he says because the radical medical treatments they've been using are working.
Eight year old Matthew Faiella was diagnosed with autism at 18 months and at the time, the doctor's long term prediction did not give the family much hope.
"When they told me they go, 'just be ready to institutionalize him' and I broke down and cried in front of the doctor. I looked at her and said, not my son, not on my watch," says Daniel Faiella, Matthew's father.
He started tireless research and two years ago decided to start treating his son in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber.
"We tried it out and he went from two word sentences to complete sentences," says Daniel.
With Matthew's dramatic improvement, his father learned of another treatment in Costa Rica where his son would be injected with stem cells. It was not approved to treat autism here in the United States.
"Weren't you scared of what might happen to him?" asks Kristin Donnelly.
"Of course, scared, and fear, but I don't let fear control my life," Daniel answers.
And the family decided time was precious.
"I don't have 20 or 30 years for my son," he says.
Daniel says his son is still getting better and will return to Costa Rica for another treatment this fall. This time the stem cells will be injected into his spine.
It's drained their savings, but not their spirits. And now another sacrifice for their son. Daniel Faiella quit his job, sold his home in Florida and moved to Western New York. All to put Matthew in the best public school possible.
"How are you guys going to make it?" Kristin Donnelly asks.
"I don't know, sometimes it keeps me up at night but I believe, have faith and believe I'll find a job," he says.
Adding he will never regret giving his son a chance.
"You do whatever you can for your child - nothing, spare no cost," Faiella insists.
Check out the Faiella family blog
We asked the President of the Western New York Chapter of the Autism Society of America about Matthew, his recovery, and treatments. Kathy Elss wrote us this statement:
"Parents need to research and weigh all options and costs and understand that not all treatments work with all children. Autism is many disorders and parents who have tried various therapy options without improvement should not feel that they have failed. That said, Matthew appears to have made significant progress.
Autism is not JUST a genetic, neurological and behavioral condition , but in some children involves chronic metabolic, gastrointestinal and even immune issues, some of which are TREATABLE."
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