I was at the gym and met a gentleman who awkwardly approached me and began talking about a book he was reading. I also met his mom and I had a wonderful talk w/her about PDD and autism. She raised and is still caring for her adult son w/autism.
At first his following me around the gym talking about what ever popped in head annoyed me. I thought "Is this Anna's future?" I would try to avoid him but he always kept a sharp lookout for me. Over the last couple of months this has continued then suddenly he stopped going to the gym. I didn't see him for 2 weeks.. I actually missed having someone 'real' to talk to. Someone not putting on airs or fakery. I missed the goofy smile that followed me around the gym. Then today he appeared almost magically. I learned something about autism today as he shared his latest book with me....that the "normal" world is always wondering what 'normal' is. They are always demanding and searching for self....well this guy knows himself. He isn't demanding anything from anyone other than real genuine friendship.
If this is my daughters future what a wonderful place to live. I was a fool to have ever been annoyed....now I see how normal autism really is.
I am constantly awed by the uniqueness of both those who have autism and those caring for them. We are a special breed of humanity. We are awake in a world slumbering in the bed of our society. I am learning not to feel sorry for myself anymore. I may not have the average child, I have Anna. And she may not conquer the world but the world will never conquer her either.
Mary
It's true Mary, and you should take this feeling with you wherever you go.the road we travel is rocky and seems neverending at times but tell you the truth, I wouldn't turn off on the next exit for all the tea in china. I try to remind myself that my son is the one who is effected, not me. I put my feelings aside each day and I try to make both of my kids days as bright and enjoyable aspossible.
I agree and thanks so much for sharing!
My Nicholas has a smile that lights up a room and his belly laugh is also so contagious, we always crack up when we hear it even if we have no clue what started it we want it to continue!
I've meet a few adults w/ ASD and I have been so moved by them and just amazed at how real they are too...good insight mary!
hugs,
ali
wow mary- that was very eloquent! what a beautiful lesson to learn--thanks for teaching!
kate
like rachelleh my little boy jack has a laugh that sounds like bath water gurgling down the plug really dirty and infectious,you can't help but laugh along with him.It makes you realsie whats important jack will never be uni material but as long has he is happy then that is enough if he can make his needs known then that would be great too its the little things that matterWow! This is a great thread! We always said that when Julian laughs, it's like God made that perfect unconditional laughter just for him. :)
Wow that is very heart touching! Well said, it really makes you stop and think. I have always said that if my son ended up being like Dustin Hoffman in Rainman I would be ok with it, because he was so sweet and nice.
Nita
You are both so right. Benjamin often times looks like other kids, but he has a very beautiful specialness that is so endearing and deep. A friend of mind said that she can see that God really has His hands on my son. I agree. My little guy has a level of spirituality that seems really unusual in one so young. I love that he is very 'out-of-the-box' in his thinking and problem-solving. It surely makes the trying times worth all of the work we must put in to keep this 'normal' world froom destroying him. Janet