02-22-2005, 10:58 PM
NBC Today Show/Tues The Marino family's fight against autism
[Bold added by me -- TheASman]
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6907054/
The Marino family's fight against autism
Football great Dan Marino and his wife, Claire, detail how they
helped their child and how they're now helping othersToday show
Updated: 10:02 a.m. ET Feb. 22, 2005
Former Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino is one of the most
successful football players in NFL history. He says his most
rewarding experience has been his life with his family: His wife,
Claire, and six children, two of whom are adopted from China. He
also
managed to turn a family struggle into a program that has helped
thousands of children. "Today" host Katie Couric has the story of
the
Marino family's struggle with autism.
Sixteen-year-old Michael Marino is a chip off the old block. The son
of former Miami Dolphin quarterback Dan Marino, Michael is a junior
at Broward Preparatory High School in Florida.
But his parents, Dan and Claire, were concerned early on when they
noticed some delays in his development.
Dan Marino: At first we thought what an incredible baby we had,
because we remember when he was 1-1/2 years old, we put him in his
crib, and he wouldn't cry.
Claire Marino: He never really started with the sounds to say "Mama,
Dada," or "water, juice," anything. I had actually talked to the
doctor about it, the pediatrician, but he said, "Oh, you know, he's
a
boy, they're late bloomers. Don't worry about it."
But Claire and Dan decided to get Michael into a program for
children
with developmental delays.
Couric: At 2 [years of age] Michael was diagnosed officially as
autistic. Do you remember what that was like for the two of you?
Claire Marino: I didn't even know what it was. The doctor
said "autism" and I said, "Oh, OK." I just sort of listened to him.
You don't know what to expect in the future. So it's very
overwhelming.
Dan Marino: Just to find out what it is, and the shock of [not
knowing] what your son's going to be like. Then you go right to,
well, we're going to do whatever we can.
Couric: Michael, your Mom and Dad describe you as a toddler as
somebody who had a hard time communicating, and not talking. Do you
remember wanting to talk and for whatever reason not being able to
do
it?
Michael Marino: It was kind of like I was frustrated. Like I really
wanted to say something, like "cup," so I could get a drink, but I
couldn't say it.
Couric: But you were thinking it.
Michael Marino: Yeah, I was thinking it. Then I'd be like, "Mom,
Mom
… the cup."
Michael began receiving intensive therapy from speech therapist Sue
Cabbot.
Sue Cabbot: When I first met Michael, it was pretty clear to me that
he had autism. He was pretty socially unaware. He was not
communicative. Very self absorbed.
We showed the video of Michael's early therapy to the Marinos.
Couric: Does it bring back memories of what you were going through?
Dan Marino: Oh, well, it brings back for me how well he's doing now …
Claire Marino: That's right.
Dan Marino: … and what a miracle it's been and how all of this has
helped so much.
Four months later, Michael began speaking.
Michael Marino: I was having trouble getting the right little cups
in
the right thing. Now, all of a sudden, I'm putting cards that have
words on it and pictures on a line to make a story — it's amazing.
Couric: How important was this early intervention, though, for
Michael's development? It must have been critical.
Claire Marino: I just think for any child, as soon as you notice
something like that, you need to get in and get help.
Dan Marino: It's extremely important that people recognize that with
the right proper care, and the proper therapies, that kids can
definitely get better and have a great life.
That's why Dan and Claire decided to start a foundation which so far
has raised more than $6 million for children's charities.
In 1998, they built the Dan Marino Center at the Miami Children's
Hospital in Florida. The center specializes in treating children
with
autism and other developmental disorders all under one roof.
Neurologist Roberto Tuchman helped the Marinos set up the center.
Dr. Roberto Tuchman: I think that what we need to realize is that
autism is a disorder, a medical disorder in the way that cancer is.
And we have to provide those children and those families with the
kind of support that can make a difference.
But not every child with autism can make the same strides as
Michael.
Doctors still don't know why some children respond to early
intervention and others do not. Michael is now in a special
education
program and is mainstreamed for classes like history and physical
education.
Couric: I'm wondering if some families might look at the wonderful
things that he's been able to accomplish, and have hope that might
be
slightly unrealistic.
Dan Marino: There's no doubt. But, on the other hand, there's hope.
He's an example for a lot of families and a lot of people. He's one
of the reasons we were able to start our foundation and make a
difference, because we want to help other families and get
opportunities for them, like Michael had.
As for Michael, he is hoping for a bright future.
Michael Marino: I just hope that I can be successful. So other
parents can look up and see just because their son has a problem
doesn't mean they still can't grow up and be as successful as any
other person.
Dan Marino: Doctors will tell you not to say it, but for me, he's
cured. There's not a problem and he won't have a problem the rest of
his life.
© 2005 MSNBC Interactive
[Bold added by me -- TheASman]
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6907054/
The Marino family's fight against autism
Football great Dan Marino and his wife, Claire, detail how they
helped their child and how they're now helping othersToday show
Updated: 10:02 a.m. ET Feb. 22, 2005
Former Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino is one of the most
successful football players in NFL history. He says his most
rewarding experience has been his life with his family: His wife,
Claire, and six children, two of whom are adopted from China. He
also
managed to turn a family struggle into a program that has helped
thousands of children. "Today" host Katie Couric has the story of
the
Marino family's struggle with autism.
Sixteen-year-old Michael Marino is a chip off the old block. The son
of former Miami Dolphin quarterback Dan Marino, Michael is a junior
at Broward Preparatory High School in Florida.
But his parents, Dan and Claire, were concerned early on when they
noticed some delays in his development.
Dan Marino: At first we thought what an incredible baby we had,
because we remember when he was 1-1/2 years old, we put him in his
crib, and he wouldn't cry.
Claire Marino: He never really started with the sounds to say "Mama,
Dada," or "water, juice," anything. I had actually talked to the
doctor about it, the pediatrician, but he said, "Oh, you know, he's
a
boy, they're late bloomers. Don't worry about it."
But Claire and Dan decided to get Michael into a program for
children
with developmental delays.
Couric: At 2 [years of age] Michael was diagnosed officially as
autistic. Do you remember what that was like for the two of you?
Claire Marino: I didn't even know what it was. The doctor
said "autism" and I said, "Oh, OK." I just sort of listened to him.
You don't know what to expect in the future. So it's very
overwhelming.
Dan Marino: Just to find out what it is, and the shock of [not
knowing] what your son's going to be like. Then you go right to,
well, we're going to do whatever we can.
Couric: Michael, your Mom and Dad describe you as a toddler as
somebody who had a hard time communicating, and not talking. Do you
remember wanting to talk and for whatever reason not being able to
do
it?
Michael Marino: It was kind of like I was frustrated. Like I really
wanted to say something, like "cup," so I could get a drink, but I
couldn't say it.
Couric: But you were thinking it.
Michael Marino: Yeah, I was thinking it. Then I'd be like, "Mom,
Mom
… the cup."
Michael began receiving intensive therapy from speech therapist Sue
Cabbot.
Sue Cabbot: When I first met Michael, it was pretty clear to me that
he had autism. He was pretty socially unaware. He was not
communicative. Very self absorbed.
We showed the video of Michael's early therapy to the Marinos.
Couric: Does it bring back memories of what you were going through?
Dan Marino: Oh, well, it brings back for me how well he's doing now …
Claire Marino: That's right.
Dan Marino: … and what a miracle it's been and how all of this has
helped so much.
Four months later, Michael began speaking.
Michael Marino: I was having trouble getting the right little cups
in
the right thing. Now, all of a sudden, I'm putting cards that have
words on it and pictures on a line to make a story — it's amazing.
Couric: How important was this early intervention, though, for
Michael's development? It must have been critical.
Claire Marino: I just think for any child, as soon as you notice
something like that, you need to get in and get help.
Dan Marino: It's extremely important that people recognize that with
the right proper care, and the proper therapies, that kids can
definitely get better and have a great life.
That's why Dan and Claire decided to start a foundation which so far
has raised more than $6 million for children's charities.
In 1998, they built the Dan Marino Center at the Miami Children's
Hospital in Florida. The center specializes in treating children
with
autism and other developmental disorders all under one roof.
Neurologist Roberto Tuchman helped the Marinos set up the center.
Dr. Roberto Tuchman: I think that what we need to realize is that
autism is a disorder, a medical disorder in the way that cancer is.
And we have to provide those children and those families with the
kind of support that can make a difference.
But not every child with autism can make the same strides as
Michael.
Doctors still don't know why some children respond to early
intervention and others do not. Michael is now in a special
education
program and is mainstreamed for classes like history and physical
education.
Couric: I'm wondering if some families might look at the wonderful
things that he's been able to accomplish, and have hope that might
be
slightly unrealistic.
Dan Marino: There's no doubt. But, on the other hand, there's hope.
He's an example for a lot of families and a lot of people. He's one
of the reasons we were able to start our foundation and make a
difference, because we want to help other families and get
opportunities for them, like Michael had.
As for Michael, he is hoping for a bright future.
Michael Marino: I just hope that I can be successful. So other
parents can look up and see just because their son has a problem
doesn't mean they still can't grow up and be as successful as any
other person.
Dan Marino: Doctors will tell you not to say it, but for me, he's
cured. There's not a problem and he won't have a problem the rest of
his life.
© 2005 MSNBC Interactive
