Nathan’s Voice

Seated in her workshop, Vicki Sotack completes the finishing touches on a special pendant designed for a mother of twins with autism. Keeping two pair of needle nose pliers steady, one in each hand, she closes the final jump ring and exclaims, “There! It’s begun!”. “Didn’t she just finish the piece?” one might wonder. She did, however, when Vicki nears completion of one of her keepsakes, she finishes the piece thinking, or saying aloud, “It’s begun.” In her mind, what has “begun” is the constant expression of support one projects for a loved one when they put on sterling silver awareness jewelry designed by The Hope Chest Keepsake Jewelry, (Vicki’s “labor of love” for the autism community).

As a parent herself of a young child with autism, Vicki had an incredible desire to express HOPE for her own afflicted child in a way that he was certain to understand. Her young son, Nathan, incurred what she believes to have been a vaccine injury and lost his ability to speak entirely. Amazingly, he has proven himself exceptionally bright and quite linguistically inclined, despite having developed autism, immune issues, and a complex seizure disorder. Although Nathan is non-verbal, he has an incredible ability to read, and possibly in more than one language. With this unique ability in mind, she came up with an idea!


An Evolving Idea

With jewelry making as a favorite hobby, Vicki designed an inspirational necklace which included the written word “HOPE” in the center, to signify the ongoing commitment she has to her afflicted child. She thought that a constant visual reminder would reinforce the special message she wished to relay to her son - that she would never give up on him and that she had endless optimism that recovery from autism was possible. Soon, she found herself using the written word in many of her pendant designs to express messages of LOVE, FAITH, or HOPE to her son. Over the course of about a year, Vicki channeled her emotions over the trials and triumphs experienced in confronting Nathan’s autism into her creative outlet of jewelry making. After sharing some of her creations with other “ASD moms”, and at their urging, The Hope Chest Keepsake Jewelry was born.

Idea into Action

Today, Vicki designs what she affectionately coins “Journey Necklaces” in support of those touched by autism, (as well as other hope-inspired collections found on her website at www.hopechestkeepsakes.com). Her “Autism Journey” collection is her largest line and was clearly inspired by her son, Nathan. To further honor him, she often says, “I am his voice. He is my heart.” It is obvious to all whom know her that she truly feels that way, and her dedication to him, and to the autism entire community, is apparent in the efforts she makes on their behalf.

In Her Own Words…

One of the most important things I have learned from my son on our journey through autism is that his autism, though affirmatively present, does not dominate the very core itself of his being. His incredible personality and a wonderful heart define him much more than the affect autism has on “who he is”. Likewise, his autism is not solely the apparent, undeniable, or permanently crippling disability once thought. Instead, it is a complex and unique “shell” of sorts…an oftentimes-puzzling outer layer. Once peeled away, an incredible brilliance shines through…and I am left standing in awe.

Certainly, autism is treatable, and Nathan is living proof of it. His progress toward healing demonstrates that the efforts invested to help him have not been in vain and that overcoming autism is not only a dream, but is his very agenda.

I am confident that God has an incredible plan for our little boy, and for all of those whom accompany our family on this challenging journey. We are committed to the belief that, “Through Him, ALL things are possible”…even recovery. It is because of that belief that we will NEVER give up.

Our family presses on, hand-in-hand with Nathan through the many corridors of autism and we are not alone. Instead, we have the company of a handful of amazingly committed doctors and research scientists, many incredibly dedicated teachers and therapists, and literally countless undefeatable parents of children with autism, just like me.

There is a familiar saying that states,

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

Today, like many parents of children with autism, I have on my running shoes. HOPE, I promise you, is forever present.

May God bless each individual with autism, and all of those who love and care for them.

-Vicki K. Sotack, “Nathan’s Voice”
Visit us online at www.hopechestkeepsakes.com and begin your personal expression of HOPE or “fan us” on Face Book at www.facebook.com/hopechestkeepsake for all relative “happenings”.