Meet the Peetes

Holly Robinson Peete is an actress, singer and philanthropist.

She started by introducing herself as the daughter of Sesame Street's original Gordon.  For any of us old enough to remember watching this iconic PBS television show, you will remember Gordon who was Big Bird's human friend that helped him to understand the world around him.

But as the keynote speaker on Thursday morning, she spoke as a mom with autism in her family.  Wife of football legend, Rodney Peete, Holly spoke of their son RJ.  The first day that RJ was diagnosed has forever been called the "The Never Day."  The reason for this title was because the specialist who reviewed all of the test results told the Peetes that RJ would never..... do this and do this and do that.....etc, etc, etc.  So it is always called "The Never Day".



She spoke of the level of pain and understanding of RJ's diagnosis that had to come in their own family before they could speak to the world about it through her own writing, the HollyRod Foundation, her personal appearances, and now reality television called "Meet the Peetes."
She said that since African American children on the spectrum are diagnosed 4-5 years later that their white counterparts, she feels that her message is even more important to get out to the public.

Husband, Rodney Peete, through coming to grips with the diagnosis of his son on the spectrum and now come to respect his son for all of the things he is capable of, his own story has been written in a book titled, "Not My Boy - Rodney Peete."

After this book came out, Holly and Rodney and their two children created RJ's Place which focuses on creating a place of understanding, information, counseling and support for families who struggle in the early stages of diagnosis.

One of the family's motto is: "We wouldn't change RJ for the world but we would do anything to change the world for RJ."
Part of the story that Holly told was about the early years, the childhood years, then the adolescent years.  She told about the fierce defending that RJ's sister did and she is the first in the family to publish a story about her brother.  It is called, "My Brother Charlie."
It was written from a sibling's point of view and intended to help explain the behaviors and the presentations of people on the spectrum.

However, the end of her conversation spoke of RJ's looking to the world of work.  He has always been interested in birds and so a local pet store was very interested to hire him.  But then a friend of the family thought that RJ had an ability to be successful in the modeling world.  So, professional photos were taken and everyone was shocked to see the natural beauty in this young man that came out in the photos.

But in the end, baseball won out.  When the LA Dodgers heard of RJ's interest to become employed, they offered him the job of a lifetime.  RJ is now employed by the Dodgers and gets to work for "his team."

This was a story of a family in the spotlight and their private struggles.  They sounded like any struggles a young family has when they come to "the never day."  It hasn't been easy, but they have come out the other side and feel that they all have a story to tell that will support many others who are beginning their journey.  This story was inspiring for all the members of the audience.  When the questions and answers portion came, many who stood to ask their questions, broke into emotional stories of their own.  One story brought Holly, herself, to tears.  The bonds across the room were palpable.

Stories like these bring comfort, they help with understanding and education, they provide inspiration, and the raise hope in others.  We all have these stories or hear these stories.  But because of the effect they can have on others, we need to share these stories.