| It was a snapshot in time. The words were | | | | over-run him." It was like a sudden counter-turn |
| swirling in my head. I had never heard of it. There | | | | of a valve that held my introspective feelings. |
| were so many questions and overwhelming | | | | This rush of thoughts quickly organized and |
| emotions. We had been informed of his test | | | | formulated as the rest of the lyrics fell into place. |
| results. Our son was diagnosed with Fragile X | | | | It was a descriptive summation of this "snapshot |
| Syndrome. The National Fragile X Foundation | | | | in time" that I needed to release. The music |
| defines it as "the most common cause of | | | | percolated rhythmically from my soul to |
| inherited mental impairment. This impairment can | | | | accompany the descriptive words. It was focused |
| range from learning disabilities to more severe | | | | and effortless, and for a brief moment everything |
| cognitive or intellectual disabilities. (Sometimes | | | | made sense. |
| referred to as mental retardation.) FXS is the | | | | Today, when I listen to it, it leads me into an |
| most common known cause of autism or | | | | introspective reflection of my life as a father. A |
| 'autistic-like' behaviors. Symptoms also can include | | | | unique and rewarding journey that has changed |
| characteristic physical and behavioral features and | | | | my life. It is a powerful reminder of where we |
| delays in speech and language development." | | | | were, and how far we have come. |
| Now what? There were too many questions | | | | I'm not sure where the song, Unusual Extremes |
| without clear answers. I needed to digest all this | | | | (fragile x syndrome) came from. It just happened. |
| new information and put it in perspective. There | | | | It fell into place at a time when nothing fell into |
| were just so many feelings to sort out for my | | | | place. I'm thankful for this song and that I can |
| wife and I. We never lost our focus in helping our | | | | share it with others whom can relate. |
| son. It was just the added dimension of a | | | | Sometimes when I pick up my guitar and try to |
| mystery syndrome and a new direction in life that | | | | sing it, it overwhelms me. I get a lump in my |
| we weren't expecting. We had been searching for | | | | throat and a tear in my eye as it brings me back |
| an answer. When we found it, there was an | | | | to a vivid recollection of a frozen moment in time. |
| infusion of emotions that included sadness, | | | | After a few deep breaths I feel a rich |
| confusion, and grief. | | | | appreciation for a song that always consumes my |
| One day, I picked up a notebook and pen. The | | | | heart, just like my wonderful boy. |
| assimilation of information began. I wrote on | | | | Copyright © 2009 Domenick Cassise. All |
| paper the first lines "it gets me down, I never see | | | | rights Reserved Worldwide. |
| it coming, he can't help himself, it seems to | | | | |