We are really excited to kick off the back-to-school season with some fantastic new bloggers in our community! Today, we start with Rob from Lost and Tired, a dad with three boys on the Autism Spectrum. He shares a bit about himself below. We have some great content, advice, and guest posts coming your way this fall, so stay tuned!

My name is Rob Gorski and I’m the newest addition to the community. I thought this would be a great chance to get to know each other better. I figured I would start things off by telling you a little bit about myself and my experience within the special needs community.

As I said prior, my name is Rob Gorski and I’m really excited to meet you. I’m also a 33 year old hardcore techy and Google android fanatic. However, more importantly, I’m a father to 3 amazing beautiful special needs boys. All 3 of my boys are on the Autism Spectrum and have other serious health issues. Gavin is 12, Elliott is 6 and Emmett John is 3. My amazing wife Lizze, and I have been together for 11 years and married since 2003. I was a firefighter and paramedic for many years until I was injured and later needed at home 24/7 after Lizze became ill.

Things are very difficult and everyday seems to be more challenging than the last, however, we always somehow manage to survive as a family.

I recently discovered that I enjoy writing and soon realized that writing was a great outlet for me. I think it was so beneficial because I was able to really just vent my frustrations and walk away feeling a little less burdened by the stress in my life. Essentially it made me a better father, husband and all around person.

My new found passion for writing led me to founding the multiple award winning Lost and Tired blog. I created Lost and Tired as a means of sharing our story and reaching out to others within the special needs community, particularly those touched by Autism. I want people to understand what life can be like for families with a special needs child (or in our case, children). I share our story from my perspective and in a very honest and transparent way, even if it doesn’t paint me in a good light. I want to dispel the misconceptions surrounding Autism and show how my life and the lives of my wife and children are affected by it each and every day.

Since I began writing about 2 years ago, I have been interviewed several times, both in print and on the radio. I have also been published by CNN as well as countless other blogs and websites from around the globe.

My personal philosophy is that only when people can understand and relate, will they become truly Autism Aware. I believe that sharing our stories is the best way to educate the public as well as other people within the Autism and special needs community.

I have also created a dedicated support forum called, Autism Help. Autism Help is a support forum for anyone touched by Autism. We are a group of parents that have been there. It’s a safe, private and judgment free place to seek advice, vent your frustrations and share your victories. Autism Help is accessible directly from my blog or via the Autism Help app for android devices and located on the Google Play Store.

I love my family more than anything in the world but I’m still human and can feel overwhelmed, frustrated, defeated and angry. I think Lost and Tired summarizes in a very accurate manner, where I find myself on many days. I want others out there in similar situations to know that they are not alone and it’s okay to feel these things. I encourage others to share their story with the world in order to help break the silence and spread Autism Awareness.

Please feel free to contact me if I can be of any assistance.

I really look forward to getting to know all of you. Please take a second and introduce yourself and share a bit about what your experience below.

Until next time.