Posts Tagged ‘Autsim Spectrum Disorder’
Remember My Boy
The next time you are stuck at the grocery store, irritated with the man at the front of the growing line because he keeps chatting with the clerk, think of my boy. The man might be verbally ruminating about new soda flavors he saw on tv or explaining his frustration that the store is out of the only bread he eats. How it is very important because he eats this bread for every meal in his day. He may also bring up the triangle-shaped crackers he saw on aisle seven.…
Read MoreYou are My Best Teacher
Cooper, Mother’s Day is right around the corner. Our tenth one together. And while traditionally the child would be saying nice things about the mom, I’m switching it around this year. Because yesterday I had the most amazing realization. And while I’ve known for a while, yesterday it truly sunk in. You, my son, have taught me more than any other person on this earth. You’ve taught me to see…really see. You’ve taught me to listen…not just hear. And you’ve taught me the importance of getting off the beaten path…
Read MoreThis is Fine
You know that meme…the one with the dog drinking coffee at the kitchen table while the house is on fire and the caption reads…’THIS IS FINE.’ That’s my life right now. I don’t complain. I truly, truly don’t. But right now, I’ve lost control of the ship. And the ship is sinking. And also on fire. I’ve been alone with my boys for over a week now. My husband is quarantining after being gone for a few days and it’s been really hard. Three boys. Three schedules. A full time…
Read MoreThe Brightest Sky
Hi. My name is Carrie. I have five kids. My second son, Jack, is diagnosed with autism. I used to think the hardest part of autism was the day we got the actual diagnosis—the day I walked into the cold rain of a November afternoon, and attempted to zip my squirming toddler’s jacket. I was wrong. I’m wrong a lot, if we’re being honest here. The hardest part is now. Sure, a lot of it was hard—the nights when he didn’t sleep, the long days chasing him around and making sure he…
Read MoreIt’s Not That I’m Not Happy For You
I need to be real for a minute. It’s not that I don’t want to be around you. It’s not that I don’t like your kids. It’s not that I don’t love watching your kids grow up from afar. It’s not that I’m not happy for you. It’s just too hard. It’s too hard to see your children developing at a normal rate. There’s no speech and language delay. There is no vocal stimming. There are no show stopping meltdowns. You have kids who have a typical path to follow.…
Read MoreMy Son is More Than His Diagnosis
On this day 6 years ago, our son Shawn Corey received his official diagnosis of mild to moderate Autism. I can’t even begin to describe or express how we have all grown since then. I can’t even find the right words to express how proud my son has made me. I’d say the biggest lesson I’ve learned is that Shawn is so much more than his diagnosis. All people with special needs are much more than their diagnosis. He’s accomplished so much in the last 6 years I can’t even…
Read MoreOnly in My Dreams
Sometimes it hits me when I least expect it. I was sitting in front of my computer reading my son’s high school athletic Facebook group post. “Any parent of a boy or girl in grades 3-6 interested in volunteering as a water boy/girl for the varsity football team, please respond.” So I went to that imaginary place in my mind. I pictured my daughter on the sidelines holding the rack of water bottles proudly watching her brother and his teammates play football. She smiled excitedly as the whistle blew and…
Read MoreWhat Autism Brings Us
Hi. My name is Carrie. I have five kids, and my second son has autism. His name is Jack. He is sixteen years old. For me, autism brings a trifecta of hope, grief, and peace. Hope is the bundle of rocks I carry everywhere I go. Grief is the small box of feathers I let myself open every once in a while. And peace? Well, that is the long, jagged mountain I climb, clutching my bundle of hope and a box full of feathers. Jack and my firstborn, Joseph, are…
Read MoreWaiting for School
The sweet email said…’Cooper has been on my mind all day! How was his first day back to school?’ I’ll admit I teared up a bit as I read her words. The kindness of strangers continues to amaze and humble me. And she wasn’t the only one who asked about him. There were dozens of emails and messages asking how he did. Cooper had a fantastic day at school! I was a bit nervous this morning because somewhere wires got crossed and his bus never came. He was dressed and…
Read MoreSupport Small Business
Are you all continuing to support small business? In Minnesota, our restaurants are all still closed for in-person dining. So take out it is! Which, in our world, isn’t all that different. Eating dinner at a restaurant is still on our bucket list! Anyhow, North Pole Restaurant in Newport, MN has the best breakfast ever! All three of our boys will dive into this pancake and even ask for seconds. Keep supporting your local restaurants as much as you can! They need us! Good morning from these three! Finding Cooper’s…
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