Yes, I am blessed. Autism has blessed my family. Would I be extremely happy if my daughter could speak and eat healthier and have fewer sensory issues? Of course. However, I am very blessed to have her in my life. Her innocence, her sweetness! Everyone who really knows her loves her. She is special in many ways.
One way...Sophie's Aide...In the Spring of her 1st grade year, the woman who spent all school day with Sophie was injured by a drunken semi-truck driver. This woman's legs were cut off above the knee. When her Aide returned to the school to work the following fall, she was in a wheel chair. Sophie walked up to her, kicked her leg out at the open area where her Aide's legs should have been, and then proceeded to crawl up on her Aide's lap. What was Sophie saying? Yeah, I notice that you are different now, but I still like you anyway.
Another way...My older typical daughter spent the night at a friend's house. When I picked her up the following morning, she said, "They are like the perfect family. It was creepy!" What did she mean? Dad is the sole financial provider. Mom is a Stay-at-home-Mom. One daughter. One brother. One purebred dog. They ate dinner while sitting at the table! Spotless house. Uh...yeah, nice, but not like us. We are Deadbeat Dad, Single Working Mom, one typical daughter, one special needs daughter, one mutt. That table in the dining room is for sitting and eating a meal together? Who knew? And most specifically...the house is a mess. I asked my older daughter if she knew that most houses did not have bits of ricecakes and popcorn scattered about the floor and table and counter, etc.? What's more important perfection through control or a loving, caring, accepting attitude? A child with special needs answers that question.
And another...adversity through a child brings family together. I know without a doubt that my Mother (and Father, if he were still alive), my Siblings and their children, and even extended family members hope and dream and do whatever they can for my girl! That's a good feeling!
A child is not a burden. A child is a gift. A special child is a special gift.
We have been very fortunate.
4 comments:
I have come to your blog via Jubilee! I have a brother with Autism. When he was first diagnosed it was when Autism was not as "popular". He has grown, learned and become quite a person. I understand your words and feel them to the core. Your daughter is also blessed to have a great mom. She is still young and you'll see growth as she gets older. Have you done any investigating on Gluten free diet? I have seen some good changes with AI kids on it. I know it's new and many parents are following this for their child. Thanks for posting on Autism:-)
Maria (not me) is a great reader. You'll love her. She has a sis who is in need of a teaching job, so if you know of anyone, please pass the info her way. This was an awesome post. We know just how much your girls bless your life, and God chose the perfect person to be Sophie's mom. You have a great support group, and you're right -- that's something that might not have come together in such a way if it weren't for Sophie.
Great post Mary. I know how much all of this feeling comes from your heart. And, just because everyone (most people I would bet) do not fit in the "stereotypical" family does not make them any different than those families. It is all the specialties in each family that makes us all special. Thank God for that!
She's an amazing little soul, isn't she? I remember that day that her Aide was injured. I remember the pain in your eyes. I love this recollection of how Sophie handled the new "differences" in her.
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