I was watching a really great youtube video earlier and stumbled upon a video where people were rallying for safer vaccines. While I will keep my opinion of that particular issue out of this, I suddenly found myself in tears. There in the rally was a sweet looking little boy, probably 7 years old, holding a sign that said "I'm 1 in 150".
*heart breaks*
Then shots of the crowd. Moms and dads holding up pictures of their children, pictures of children who had died, others who were so injured they couldn't be there, others who had recovered but the pain is still sharp. Moms and dads crying.
*heart shatters*
One in 150. Did you read that stat? 1 in 150?!?!?! But it's not just a statistic.
Autism is NOT just a stat.
Autism is a little boy.
Autism is a little girl.
Autism is a child who is missing...their bodies are there but THEY are missing. Damaged. Damaged to the point that they can't interact.
1 in 150. It's a parent sobbing their hearts out b/c their child cannot talk. Can you imagine going through life unable to communicate? Unable to express yourself? Unable to ask for a hug? Unable to say what hurts?
1 in 150.
It's my child.
My Tony.
My Grace.
My Kate.
They were 1 in 150.
They are 1 of thousands.
And the numbers keep climbing.
When will this stop??
WHEN????
Thanks for sharing! I don't know if you realize this but my older son has autism. I understand your tears mamma I really do. Autism is a beautiful little boy
ReplyDeleteI once taught a student with autism. I wasn't so sure how to work with him in music, but he was a highlight of my day. That being said, my heart goes out to those families that are affected by autism. I can't even being to imagine the frustration on some days.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing so openly.
AA, thank you for understanding. Sometimes knowing someone else gets it makes all the difference, doesn't it? I enjoy reading your blog. Your children are adorable. :)
ReplyDeleteFoB, thank you for sharing and for your empathy. People who work with children with autism are my heroes.
It is a tradgedy I will admit but in a strange way it is a blessing too I guess. They all mean so much to me but after he changed when he was little it took forever to get any of it back and for every milestone I know the frustration was all worth it. It was like the reward was 10 times sweeter ya know? I have learned so much from him. They told me to put him in foster care they said he would be a piece of meat. I never gave up and now he can read, tie a shoe, ride a bike hold a conversation he can do more than I was ever given hope for. I taught him all of that me. The young 24 year old mother they said couldn't care for a child like him. Well we beat all the odds and I am a better person because of my son. My advice is stay strong and never give up on your kid miracles happen everyday your kids are proof of that! We were chosen to have those children because someone knew we needed them as much as they needed us I will always say when I grow up I hope I have half the will my little boy has. I hope I can be just like him!
ReplyDeleteAdamant, you are such an encouragement to me! I hear so many sad stories each day that I can't stand it sometimes. What a great perspective you have and what a joy to hear of your hard-earned successes with your son. You're right, every success is so much sweeter b/c of the work it took to get there. Thank you SO MUCH for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAnd congratulations on all you've gotten back with your son. Sweet victory! :)
hey you have worked hard too I read your posts!!!!
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