DETROIT – Autism was a word Denyeal Nesovski said she never expected to hear when it came to her son, Stefan. But at age 3, his diagnosis changed their lives forever.
"I was numb for a few days," Nesovski said. "I let myself grieve for a few days."
Doctors didn't give her much hope.
"We were told when he was in kindergarten that he may never write, or going in to kindergarten, that he may never write so we should probably, we shouldn't, bother trying," Nesovski said.
But the mother did try. And now, at 11, her son can not only write, but he can read, pain, do crafts and loves playing board games with his younger brothers.
He also has plans for the future.
"Go to university," Stefan said. "In Massachusetts. Harvard University. It's in Massachusetts."
What does he want to do in college?
"Study and be great!" Stefan said.
While he continues to defy the odds, his mom has one wish for him.
"Just that he always love life and that he shows the world what a child with autism is capable of doing," Nesovski said.
Stefan's journey inspired his family to start the nonprofit Stefan's Hope.
"We vow as an organization to do everything in our power so that a parent does not have to hear no and does not have to hear that their child cannot or will not," Nesovski said.
The organization is celebrating five years of providing help and hope for other children like Stefan with a special anniversary gala.
"If you have ever been affected by autism, or know somebody, we make a difference and we need your help," Stefan's Hope vice president Kristi Barel said.
Stefan's Hope gala is April 25 at the Mirage Banquet Hall in Sterling Heights. Click here for more: https://www.facebook.com/stefanshope