Puzzle Description:

My son John when he was young. His Lakota name is Shunka Nunka, which means Little Horse, and was given to him by his Uncle Dan when he was a baby. He hs Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, but is a happy, funny guy.

#1: Teresa K (fasstar) on Dec 19, 2008 [SPOILER]

Photos of John growing up:
http://come-over.to/FAS/JohnGrowsUp.htm

John explain what it's like to have Fetal Alcohol Syndrome:
http://fasarizona.com/ihavefas.htm

Very nice puzzle and informative link. Thank you for both.

Cool puzzle. Thanks. John seems like a nice guy. :)

John is a sweetie. He is pretty smart, but because of his poor judgement, he cannot live on his own as an adult. I asked him if he knew what his purpose in life was, and he said:

"My life purpose is to tell everyone about the risk of alcohol during pregnancy, so fewer babies are born with brain damage like I have." Bless his heart.

Very impressive & expressive detail, especially for a 20x20.

Thanks.

nice, he sounds sweet

He was then and he still is. Here is a short video that shows just how adorable he was:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxWg8eAR8Jw

Teresa, what does he mean he can function at three levels at a time?

He's the "TriLevel Man" because he functions at the level of a man, a teenager, and a child all at the same time. As a mature adult, he has all the aspirations, dreams, and desires of a typical man. He has the intelligence of a 13 year old, lots of information and good expressive language skills and amazing insights (that makes people think he's smarter than he really is) But his impulse control and judgment are at the level of a first grader, and that's what gets him intro trouble and the reason he needs close supervision all the time.

He has a good life though. He works at a desert plan nursery, plays the drums in a church band (and is really good), and goes on trips with me to do trainings.

Here is how he explains "TrilevelMan" in his own words:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dZwgunnfIU

There's more fun little videos at his TriLevelMan channel on Youtube if you want to find out more. Thanks for asking.

I learnt a lot about you through this puzzle. My very best friend in the US has adopted two girls whose mothers both used drugs and alcohol when they were pregnant, so I've seen what life can be like, but also how rewarding it can be. Their family is large, my friend had four kids of her own when she adopted the girls, and she's had several foster children, too, most of them with the same kind of problems. She's pretty amazing. :-) I'll visit her again in June.

It looks so much like John as a kid, it's fantastic in such a small puzzle!

Thanks, Petra.

I've been reading a lot about FAS thanks to you. I also saw part of the labor of love you do with your son. God bless you.
Has John seen his love again?

John and the young woman are still good friends and call each other now and then. After a few years as a lonesome guy, he has found a new love interest, a little gal with Down Syndrome who lost all her hair when she was little. She is so sweet and loving, just what John needs. They went to high school together - in fact he took her to the prom, then her family moved away. She came back to visit her Grandmother last summer and she and John reconnected and fell in love. She lives in another state, and had to return home after a few weeks of dating, but they keep in touch with letters and phone calls. They will see each other when she comes to visit her Grandmother again. They are very sweet together.

Amazing Teresa. What a journey you both are on. Thank you for your courage, bravery, and for being genuine. Wow.

Thanks, Alison.

he's beautiful. what an awesome portrait!

Thanks, Linda.

Teresa, I have a 23 yr. old son with Down Syndrome. When he was around age 16, I was trying to explain to a friend how it was sometimes confusing (yet, always interesting) to have a child that was part 5-year-old and part 16-year-old. She replied, "Well, aren't most men like that?" LOL.
BTW, lovely puzzle.

How is John doing these days?

Kristen, John is doing great! He let his Native American hair grow out and it is so beautiful and long. He is 41 going on 10, and is still working at the native plant nursery (with a job coach). He still plays the drums in the church band, and does very well. Everybody loves him, but he is especially loved by our doggies, and me of course! Thanks for asking.

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