Posts Tagged ‘autism acceptance’
It’s More than Awareness
When I reflect about this month; April – Autism Awareness Month, what is it that I want most? I want ACCEPTANCE, ADVOCACY and ACTION! I want others to not just be aware of autism but to actually accept, make a difference, and make an impact in a life of some living with autism. When we talk about awareness, its a good start but it’s not something we should be satisfied with. It’s not until people understand, accept, and take action that we should say that progress has been made. So,…
Read MoreThe Scarlet A(wareness) of Autism
I have never been a huge fan of the word aware, even well before my son was diagnosed with autism. The term itself is a copout, really, claiming the basest level of understanding. I am aware I have a shopping addiction. Terrific. Now what? The educator in me would prefer awareness to sit lower than comprehension, even lower than knowledge within that famous hierarchy of learning. I feel the act of claiming awareness in order to make oneself feel sufficiently enlightened, wise, or in-the-know is, well, lame. One of the finest qualities an individual can possess, in…
Read MoreAutism Acceptance? The Truth is in the Comments
A few days ago I stumbled upon a pretty great story in Facebook land. And I’ll be the first to admit that it’s nice to see a feel good story these days. It involved an autistic boy. And a lost teddy bear. Earlier this week, 12-year-old Ryan Paul was frantically searching through his home in New Jersey in hopes of finding his teddy bear. When he couldn’t find the toy, he remembered how his parents had told him that he should dial 911 in case of emergencies. Ryan then called…
Read MoreIt Wasn’t Just About Autism
This was our view while we waited for fireworks on Independence Day. It was a lovely sight with the flag hanging in the street and kids laughing and playing together. Some were doing cartwheels. Some were playing catch. Some were shooting hoops. They were all ages from toddler to teenager. It felt like summer. It felt like freedom. It felt like community. Until it didn’t. My son is 7. He’s sweet and funny. He’s creative. He loves peanut butter and books and Lego person heads. He has beautiful blue eyes.…
Read MoreComing Face to Face with Normal
A few weeks ago I found myself at an event with lots of adults and kids. But not just any kids. Seven year old kids. Specifically, seven year old boys. Boys that are the exact same age as my son. My son’s peers. I should have felt right at home. I am a mom. I know boys. My son is seven. Except, I felt like these boys and their moms were speaking another language. I don’t know anything about seven year old boys. Not really. My son may be seven.…
Read MoreWhy I Gave Up Hope
I just changed my six year old’s diaper. It was messy. There was poop dripping down his leg. It was on his jeans. His socks. The poop got on my hand, couch and carpet. As I was changing him he gave me a swift kick to the groin that took my breath away. This is the side of autism that no one talks about. I almost started to cry. I’ve been awake since 3:30 am. I haven’t slept through the night in months. I’m exhausted. And I let myself think,…
Read MoreAcceptance: A Video Blog
Sharing on a tough topic this morning. I’ve been scared to share this video blog because it’s very real and raw but I know that other parents need to hear these words. It’s OK to be sad. It’s OK to admit that it’s hard. And it’s OK to grieve all the things you won’t do as a special needs parent. You are human. https://www.facebook.com/findingcoopersvoice/videos/792431380899325/
Read MoreGetting More Services
Yesterday was a tough day for me. I was dealing with so many effects of Cooper’s disability. I spent over an hour talking to the county. I have decided to move forward with trying to get more services for Cooper. And this means confessing my whole life story to a random social worker that doesn’t know me or Cooper or sometimes anything about Autism. Telling our story is a lot. It makes me feel trapped. Sad. Embarrassed. Like a whiner. Uncomfortable. I feel like I am begging at times. And…
Read MoreTo The Parent of a Newly Diagnosed Child
Hiya there friend, Your child has just been diagnosed with Autism. You heard about me from a friend of a friend. Or maybe you found me on Instagram. Or you emailed me at 1 am as you were frantically googling autism in the middle of the night. You are so confused and scared. You feel like you’ve lost control of your life. I see you. I understand what you are feeling. I was you. I am you. You are going to look to me for hope. You are going to…
Read MoreA Letter to the Family and Friends of An Autism Parent
Dear friends and family, I am sitting here thinking about our relationship. And about how much I love you. And how I rarely see you. We joke that it’s because life is so busy. We have jobs and babies. Life is crazy. And how some day it will be better. We will have more time. One of these days we will actually get together and do something. I’m not sure if that’s entirely true though…at least not for me. We are different. We are friends. We are family. But we…
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