“No storm can uproot us.”

“MY MANTRA AS A WORKING MOTHER WITH A SPECIAL

child is to live one day at a time,” says Valerie “Vi” Bacasmas, mother to Jaime. Jaime was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at the age of two and a half and living one day at a time is precisely what Vi has been doing for the past 11 years.

“Finding out about Jaime’s condition was very painful,” Vi shares. “I remember crying uncontrollably the moment I stepped out of the doctor’s clinic. I looked at my child and felt sorry for him.”

Vi initially had many misgivings upon learning of Jaime’s ASD. “For a time, I blamed myself because I am his mother and I felt it was my responsibility to bring him out into this world as normal and healthy as possible. My faith was also put to test because I also blamed God for allowing this to happen to our child. I felt sad for my husband because as a father, he had so many dreams for Jaime. Those dreams were replaced with skills he had to learn to be able to help Jaime.”

As a family, Vi and her husband Eugene (STARweek’s art director) had to remain strong for Jaime. “Taking care of a child with autism can be very overwhelming. I always go through a roller coaster ride of emotions. Jaime’s condition demands my time and attention so a lot of sacrifices will have to be made,” says Vi. “Most of our decisions as a family will have to consider first Jaime’s condition. I had to say no to some opportunities for personal and professional growth because my priority is my children.”

Vi adds that she’s learned to endure and ignore judgmental stares and comments whenever Jaime would have meltdowns in public. She has had to watch Jaime extremely closely since he has no sense of danger.