On April 21st, 2020 (during covid 19) Autumn unexceptionally became a mother to a beautiful baby girl, which came with many challenges, especially for a first time mother during a pandemic. On tehe day of April 21st of 2020 , Autumn was working from home when she started having breathing and vision issues and unfortuatly shortly after the unexpected sysmtems lead to her having a seizer. Knami’s father was home at the time THANKFULLY, he was able to call 911 and get some emergency assistance on the scene. The only thing Autumn remembered is not being able to see due to her blurry vision, not being able to breathe and fighting back because she was scared and on the verge of feeling mentally incapacitated. At a later date she realized during her hesitancy it was a breathing tube being put in the back of my throat and the only thing she recalled was the exteme discomfort and Knami’s father telling me its ok and to let go and so she did, as she put her faith into a higher power.
 
      Shortly after the breathing tube was installed at the hospital Autumn was put into a medically induced coma and an emergency c-section took place took place all unbeknownst to her. Upon awaking the following day she realized it was 5am and that she was being held alone a hospital in a secured wing due to covid 19 and being told that I had to get an emergency c-section due to the seizures. Immediately as she realized the feeling of being alone was overwritten with a deeper anxiety and fear, that even upon receiving best case scenario news the feeling with in couldn't just be quelled and washed away upon learning that her child was in NICU being kept alive inside of an incubator. In a panicked state of confusion and wanting to seek clarification she needed to speak to someone she actually knew because there was no was this was her reality, so so grabbed the hospital phone and started dialing away trying to string together what exactly was happening.
 
       While out of conscience her daughter, Knami, was born April 21st, 2020 at 1 pound and 9 ounces and so did their story unbeknownst to both of them. Every single  day she made it her goal to go see Knami in the NICU but covid restrictions only complicated an already overwhelming separation anxiety that autumn was facing. Nevertheless each day Knami had her mother by her said each day and now she wants to help others alike that also may be facing uphill battles.

Throughout this uncertain time one of the main highlights and ways autumn kept her sanity was by keeping a diary and Knami's measurements/milestones as she watched her daughter grown and develop through a glass box.

Originally this journal shouldn't have began until the due date of July 20th, 2020, however due to circumstances beyond control it actually started 3 month early on April 21st 2020 and proceeded as follows;

 
4/21/2020 Knami was born at 1 pound and 9 ounces.
5/13/2020 Knami weighted in at 2 pounds and 10 ounces.
5/20/2020 Knami Weighted in at 3 pounds and 1 ounce.
5/21/2020 1 month later Knami reached 3 pounds and 2 ounces.
5/23/2020 Knami weighted in at 3 pounds and 6 ounces.
5/27/2020 Knami weighted in at 3 pounds and 9 ounces.
5/29/2020 Knami Weighted in at 3 pounds and 11 ounces.
5/31/2020 Knami weighted in at 3 pounds and 12.8 ounces.
6/1/2020 Knami Weighted in at 3 pounds and 13 ounces.
6/3/2020 Knami Weighted in at 4 pounds and 0.4 ounces.
6/12/2020 Knami Weighted in at 4 pounds and 10 ounces.
6/13/2020 Knami weight in at 4 pounds and 11 ounces.

The final day in the hospital was 6/26/2020 and that marked THE DAY KNAMI CAME HOME FROM NICU and at her first check up on 7/13 Knami Weighed in at 6 pounds and 9 ounces and 19 inches long, and thankfully was exactly on pace where she should be!

Since Knami was about 6 to 7 months Autumn saw "signs" she expressed about concerns to the doctor that she seemed “different”. The signs were but not limited to ; Sometimes she would answer to her name, sometimes she would not. She would not repeat things, or mimic actions, had zero interest in socialization and playing . When Autumn expressed her concerns to her doctor they acted like she was crazy and ignorant so she chose persistence and complained more until finally she was heard! The first test was a hearing test, which she passed so the doctors started to write things off however Autumn remained vigilant.

Another year rolls by and Knami is now 2 years old and is not talking, so again, Autumn brings her concerns to her primary care doctor and inturn was yet again ignored. So, after three years of countless ignored efforts and concerns It took an emotional breakdown for her cries of concern to be given creditability at the doctors office in order to get them the assistance and information for additional resources she need regardless of the fact Knami had been given a recommendation and receiving help through a program that provided IEP(individual education plans) for children born prematurely or under extreme circumstances like Knami was.

Basically, KNOW your CHILDREN. You are their mom or their father and you spend every day with them, you watch them grow, if something doesn’t seem correct take note and express your concerns to your Childs’ physician. Do this over and over and over again until you are not ignored and even sometimes 2nd and 3rd opinions from medical practitioners at different offices are needed.
 
     Knami has been in Early Childhood development, Pre K, ABA therapy and Speech therapy. Autumn M. Jones whom is not only the founder of Knami's Helping Hands and Knami's mother is doing everything she can to help Knami and other like her be the best versions of their self that they we can be. Throughout this journey Autumn alone has experienced life altering debt like a $50,000 bill from ABA therapy alone that Knami needed and that example is JUST what one month of financial hardship that a parent of a disabled child can face due to something as simple as insurance miscommunications between primary and secondary providers. Working parents can give their life to others and still come up short for their children so at Knami's Helping Hands wants to be the leading example of what it means to be able to help children and parents mentally, physically, and financially as resources allow by creating programs, establishments, and more that bring values , safe havens, and autism awareness for family and communities to benefit from.