Friday, April 5, 2013
Caffeinated Randomness - Everyday Is....
This month is Autism Awareness month.
Tuesday, April 2 is recognized as International Autism Awareness Day.
Everyday is Autism Awareness Day at our house.
Thomas was born 7 years ago. He was a
fussy baby from the get go. He didn't laugh until he was at
least 6 months of age. He didn't walk until he was 20 months and
didn't say his first word until he was two. He had only 50 words by
the time he was 4 years old. I remember going to the Doctor at his
18 month old check up about some of my concerns, but the doctor just
said he was healthy. That he would catch up. I remember
conversations with friends about my concerns, especially after
reading What to Execpt in the Toddler Years? I felt there was
something, but couldn't put my finger on it.
However, for all the things he was
behind, he was ahead in so much. He figured out the mouse and
computer by the time he was 2 1/2. I had to lock the computer for a
few hours a day so that he would do something else. He was so good
at puzzles. He could tell you the letters of the alphabet before he
was 3 (Thank you Nana). Thomas was diagnosed with autism two weeks
before his 5th birthday.
Sam was the opposite baby. He was
happy and had a deep laugh from the get go. He slept through the
night after a month. He napped regularly. He too was a slow walker
and talker. However, once he walked.....he ran. He was into
everything and had more energy than the energizer bunny (even as I
write this in a hotel room, he's running around). I have to admit
that I didn't want to see the similarities with Sam and Thomas. They
were too different in my eyes. I argued with my husband about this. On the way to the pediatrician, I
argued with God. Didn't I deserve a “normal” son? Didn't I have
enough struggles and trials in my life? Why us? Why did we have to
be the statistics?
I actually took Thomas' diagnosis
better than I did Sam's. I wanted to have the typical family, not
the different one. The year Thomas was diagnosised my word of the year
was persevere. I persevered. I pushed through. I embraced Thomas's
diagnosis. I learned more about it. I learned the myths and the
truths. I learned about division in the autism community and I picked sides.
Our family moved from one province to
another, so that we could obtain better services for Thomas and
better services to assist our family. We learned to advocate for
Thomas. We learned about inclusion education (something I had
struggled with before) and learned of the positive aspects of it for
all children. We learned about the prejudice and how to break down
the barriers that people with disabilities face. We persevered as a family through the new “normal” we faced.
Last year, my word was “contentment”.
I will admit that I didn't learn to become content with either of
the boys diagnosis, but I did learn to be content with what I had. I
learned to not look so much into the future and the dreams I had had
for my boys (those dreams were gone and I did grieve them). I
learned to embrace the day. Every day is new. Every day is
precious. Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow is never here.
Through all of this God has been with
me and my family. He has provided us with amazing therapists. Some
believers and some not. He has provided our family with aides who
love our children and share our core beliefs. Who believe in
inclusion. Who see the possibility each of our boys is. Who see
beyond the struggles.
When I have been literally on the floor
weeping about my life, God was with me. When I despaired about my
children's future, God was there. He has given me strength when I
had none. He brought me joy and peace, when I felt like they were a
dream, never to be grasped. He alone has stood with us.
I know because of Him that my boys are
amazing, wonderful, perfect, wanted and loved. They are not
mistakes. They are part of a larger plan. I may despair of my not
knowing the plan, but He alone has seen the end and it is Good!
What are you and your family struggling
with? What has God been saying to you? Are you leaning on God
through your struggles? Come share the randomness with the other
Java Junkies this week.
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- Michelle
- Alberta, Canada
- I'm a 39 year old (oh yeah I'm telling you my age) Stay at Home mom. A former Bad Girl now reformed sinner, I'm married to my Y2K guy and raising 3 great children from God. Proudly Canadian, however, missing the West Coast, I currently live in the prairies watching the farmers fields produce as I learn how God produces the fruits in me.
Mini Me
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3 comments:
Thank you for this great blog. You know: two of my three sons are autistic. Its hard sometimes. One of them can't live at home. God helps us.
And we eat a delicious cake vandaag. My son is baking it. Hij kan heel goed koken!
Lieve groet.
Good to meet you here! I am grateful for folks like you who are willing to share the challenges you are facing...and the Source of your strength. Bless you Sister!
Life if so hard yet God is so good! Thank you for sharing your story which really is His story for your family. It is a beautiful one. I know I have been on the floor too weeping about my life but you are so right...He alone has seen the end and it is Good! Blessings to you!!
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