Our Story Hits the Newspaper!!!

" What About Paul?"
Book Chronicles Merrillville Family's Journey With Autism

By Carrie Rodovich-Times Correspondent nwi.com
Posted: Sunday, December 5, 2010


Jad Terrebonne, shown with his son,
Paul, 27, said he wrote the book "to
encourage (other families) to not feel
guilty, or to have self–inflicted doubt.
I also don't want people to lose their
faith in God that kept us going."

When Jad Terrebonne's son, Paul, was
diagnosed with autism more than two decades ago, Jad felt like
someone had taken a hammer and shattered all his dreams.

"It was a shock to us," Jad said. "I grew up in a 'boys world'
and had that dream of hunting and fishing with him, like I did
with my father. I really struggled with that for a long time."

Jad Terrebonne recently self–published "What About Paul?
How I Gave Up My Broken Dreams" detailing his family's
journey with Paul, now 27. Terrebonne's wife, Rachelle,
and his daughter, Amy Terrebonne Luarca, also contributed
chapters to the book.

The book is available through Amazon.com.

After the initial surprise of Paul's diagnosis wore off,
Terrebonne said the family made it a priority to help Paul
get all the services he needed.

"I said I was going to fight to see that he could reach
all of his potential," he said.

The title "What about Paul?" came because the question was
one that was constantly asked over the years.

"Everything was centered around him," he said. "If we wanted
to go on vacation, it was, 'What about Paul?' It was a central
question in our marriage."

He said he decided make his family's story into a book to
encourage other families who are struggling with children
with disabilities.

"I want to encourage them to not feel guilty, or to have
self–inflicted doubt," he said. "I also don't want people
to lose their faith in God. That kept us going."