Boy splashes in a pool

Juliezer Rivera, age 9

Photograph by Emily Barnes (2021)

Juliezer Rivera is an old soul who loves classical and jazz music and playing the drums. He is a sweet and caring little boy who knows what he wants and will let nothing stop him when he sets his mind to do something. His mom, Abby says: โ€œJui is smart and has an imagination unlike any other child I have ever met. Hearing him laugh and seeing his smile is a gift he gives us several times each day.โ€

Jui taught himself to read at age three. Today, his favorite school subjects include music, science, and art. He loves to travelโ€”especially on trains.
His parents chose to be part of LOOK! to give people the opportunity to see one of the many faces of autism. Abby concludes โ€œI want the world to know that Jui is a boy who happens to be on the spectrum and has diabetes, but he is just a boy who wants to play, learn and make friends.โ€

Family Connection of South Carolina provides services and resources to families who have a child with a disability or specialized healthcare need. Since 1990 we have served more than 100,000 families and today our services are needed more than ever. We focus on parent-to-parent support, guidance with navigating the complex healthcare system, and assistance with school meetings and special education plans.

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