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Girl next door meets handsome professional athlete and lives the fairytale before betrayal and heartbreak crack the stability of their celebrity lifestyle.
Intrigue and hope are interlaced with the challenges of Autism in an unconventional way through this true story of a mother and son’s journey into the freedom they were told was unattainable.
Rising Above Autism
A Mother's Refusal To Abandon Her Son
A memoir written by
Clenice Hunt & Chris Gott
Foreword by
Mamie and Doug Adkins
Award Winning Authors
Clinton Burley
CEO and President
HealthNet Aeromedical Services Inc.
This book is bound by Clenice’s infinite love for her son, and her willingness to do whatever was necessary for him to find peace. Its chapters are a rarity in literature, simultaneously heartbreaking and heartwarming. Through her writing, Clenice takes the reader to the inside, sharing the daily trials that collectively led to the fearless life Chris now enjoys.
Sheldon Ingram
Television Reporter for 35 years and Professional Actor and Voice Actor.
Sheldon has received 3 Emmy awards and Edward R. Murrow Awards for Excellence in Writing.
Love and Sacrifice…none is greater than that of a mother and what she will suffer for the sake of her child. This is a steely fight for her to stand back up and find the strength to fight for the life of her baby boy while being burdened by frequent moments of darkness, heartbreak, tears, emotional trauma and that cold chamber of loneliness. Few stories can drain every tear and still fill the vessel with hope quite like this journey with Clenice and Chris.
We are reading this story because they were resolute, unwavering, defiant and purposeful in their pursuit of victory. Today Chris is triumphant! He is a warm human being…and Clenice is an angel for sharing so personally. Be prepared, as this detailed journey will squeeze your guts and warm your heart at the same time. Read and be moved!!
Chapter ONE: Stepping Through Fear
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Chris! I know MOMM! Chris, my 29-year-old son with Autism, was frozen with fear. His skinny 5’7” frame seemed frail as he stood alone in the ominous opening of the helicopter hangar. In front of him sat a massive hunk of steel with long rotors reaching outward. They looked like giant arms ready to grab him, like the blades on the ceiling fans that simultaneously frightened and mesmerized him as a baby. Nothing loud or scary was actually happening yet, but Chris was creating a deadly scenario in his mind of what “could happen.”
A Message To You...
Dear Reader,
There are many stories of parents who have worked very hard to help their children succeed. So, why might it be helpful for you to read this story? I asked myself this question before I began writing. The answer was simple. What we did worked! It took many years of research and persistence. But, the unconventional methods and programs I pursued with my son, CJ, brought about results that I call miracles.
As CJ continued to develop and heal, he asked to be called Chris. He said the hard “CJ” days were behind him now. He was 28 years old at the time. Today, he says being called Chris makes him happy. That is good enough for me. Chris is now 35 years old. He socializes with friends, is “employed,” and is well integrated into the community. He forms meaningful and fun relationships while responding to his environment in healthy ways. Chris lives what he now calls “my fearless life.” The reasons behind this choice are heartwarming. As you read on, you will begin to see the wonders that unfolded as we learned to rise above his Autism.
I have known the lowest of lows and the highest of highs on this journey. I have discovered my greatest flaws and my most wonderful strengths. I have witnessed my son at his worst, and I have watched him blossom into a fine young man who has overcome his deepest fears. In the end, I witnessed the goodness in others. I am humbled by the love shown to my son and his ability to respond. I had a front-row seat to the horror and, ultimately, the glory of this story. So, I believe this is a story worth telling, and I am honored to be the one telling it.
Our story teaches that if you stay in service to those you have stewardship over that you will receive guidance and help and that whatever you give up will be given back ten times over. If you need inspiration to overcome obstacles in your life, then there is no coincidence that you picked up this book.
Love,
Clenice and Chris
Testimonials For The Book
The Readers Love It!
Roshelle K. LeVa
Practitioner Of Oriental Medicine L.Ac
I have worked with Chris. What stands out is how eager he is to get better. He is a pure channel of unconditional love. This riveting story teaches you to overcome obstacles by staying positive and faithful. It will have you turning the pages to see what happens next. You will laugh, cry and cheer them on with each page! I could not put this book down! Every word is written from the heart.
Raymond Aaron
New York Times Best Selling Author
Chicken Soup For The Canadian Soul
Have you ever wanted to be inspired to go beyond what you thought was possible? If so, I highly recommend this book. It is a must read for anyone wanting to tap into their higher abilities and become cause over situations that may seem insurmountable. It is a testament to the resiliency of the human spirit and a way out of the chaos and into happiness.
About The Authors
My name is Clenice. I am the youngest of seven and was raised in Flagstaff, Arizona. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts with an emphasis in Professional Dance and a minor in Spanish. I was a missionary in Guatemala before marrying the father of my four children. He was a baseball player in the minor leagues and together we shared the thrill of making it into the major leagues. We played on three major league teams during our 10 year marriage. This fairy tale life was thrilling and equally heartbreaking when it ended.
I have always been outgoing and optimistic, but those personality traits were all but snuffed out during the battle I encountered when one of my four children was diagnosed with Autism. Everything I knew was turned upside down. The violence and anger Chris displayed were heart-wrenching. As a single mom I learned lessons and solved problems that were massive and seemed impossible to overcome.
It is through hard work and God’s grace and blessing that Chris has gone from a child who could not speak or control his behaviors of injuring himself and others to becoming a calm, happy and thriving young man who lives what he calls, “my fearless life”. Together, we have fought side by side to win the many battles put before us. In Chapter 20, you will have the opportunity to experience Chris’s speech that brought us all to tears and earned him a standing ovation.
Chris is my second-born child. He has an older sister Jenise and younger twin brothers, Ryan and Tyler. We are proud to present the story of our family’s journey from the depths of despair to the triumph and freedom of our happy and fulfilling lives today. It was not an easy journey and many times I wondered if we would make it through the darkness. But God always holds a light somewhere…even in the worst of times, the light is always there!
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Testimonials For The Book
The Readers Love It!
Emily Cieslinski
Entrepreneur & CEO
Once you pick up Rising Above Autism, you will be hooked. I definitely, have a "Book Hang Over" This is an extremely powerful, authentic, true story about a courageous single mom facing Autism head-on. It is also a tale about the strength of the three siblings who supported their Autistic brother.
Stories about Autism have been told before... but never with such humor, love, intensity and power. It makes their sweet victories all the more compelling!!! I can't stop thinking about it!
JoAnn R. Forrester
Award Winning Author
President of the Pennsylvania Women’s Hall of Achievement
Clenice married a handsome, dashing, sport hero and then lived through the heartbreak of betrayal and divorce while dealing with her autistic child who was locked into his own world of fear, anger and self-destructive behavior.
She found the courage to help her son, Chris, leave his prison of despair and emerge as a loving and healthy adult. She dared to challenge the medical professionals whose answers were drugs and more drugs. She faced the educational system and demanded what her son was entitled to by law. Their story gives inspiration to open new doors to alternative treatments. Most of all it gives hope.
Dan Asti
Managing Partner Alto Financial Group
What a powerful story about the LOVE of a MOM!! Some people in life face great challenges and collapse under the weight of the struggles…and some people face them and RISE! Clenice and Chris are examples of the LATTER!! This book is a great inspiration for EVERYONE!
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