In addition to April being the best month because it's kicked off by my birthday (hee hee), it's also special for me because April is Autism Awareness Month. Yesterday, I wore all blue and was very pleased to be in a local high school where a very high percentage of faculty were also rocking blue for autism. Those who weren't were sporting bracelets, ribbons, etc. Cool!
But something a little odd happened. On two different occasions, while chatting with two different women in school and, in response to their inquiries about my monochromatic outfit, I disclosed my connection to the cause. Both very sweet, compassionate, talented women smiled sympathetically and said, "Oh, I'm sorry."
Ummm...what? I get it, I do. I know what they meant and I'm not at all offended. It's just that it got me thinking...
... MY CHILD'S DIAGNOSIS IS NOT A BURDEN FOR ME TO CARRY! It has been my privilege to learn how to be my boys' mother. It has made me a more patient, more tolerant, more nurturing and clever mother than I would have otherwise been. It's made me appreciate small victories and recognize real courage and tenacity in my boys, my husband, and myself.
I know, I know. I sound like I'm quoting a poster, right? Let me try this:
I'm not an athlete. I am the anti-athlete, but I get that some people take up sports, running, karate, etc. and push themselves to their extremes. They will train, dedicate their lives to getting better, and maybe train others, all because it is their passion and they couldn't NOT do it. They're not looking for your condolences or sympathetic head shakes while they bandage up their cuts after falling (unless you are also bandaging up your cuts because you, too, are an athlete). You'd never apologize to them that there is still another mile to run or board to kick because this is their bliss. They do it because they tried it once and fell desperately in love.
Well... the same thing happened to me and Greg when we became parents. So, please, if you do anything this April for Autism Awareness Month for us, just cheer because Greg and I are hitting our strides and having the time of our lives.
But something a little odd happened. On two different occasions, while chatting with two different women in school and, in response to their inquiries about my monochromatic outfit, I disclosed my connection to the cause. Both very sweet, compassionate, talented women smiled sympathetically and said, "Oh, I'm sorry."
Ummm...what? I get it, I do. I know what they meant and I'm not at all offended. It's just that it got me thinking...
... MY CHILD'S DIAGNOSIS IS NOT A BURDEN FOR ME TO CARRY! It has been my privilege to learn how to be my boys' mother. It has made me a more patient, more tolerant, more nurturing and clever mother than I would have otherwise been. It's made me appreciate small victories and recognize real courage and tenacity in my boys, my husband, and myself.
I know, I know. I sound like I'm quoting a poster, right? Let me try this:
I'm not an athlete. I am the anti-athlete, but I get that some people take up sports, running, karate, etc. and push themselves to their extremes. They will train, dedicate their lives to getting better, and maybe train others, all because it is their passion and they couldn't NOT do it. They're not looking for your condolences or sympathetic head shakes while they bandage up their cuts after falling (unless you are also bandaging up your cuts because you, too, are an athlete). You'd never apologize to them that there is still another mile to run or board to kick because this is their bliss. They do it because they tried it once and fell desperately in love.
Well... the same thing happened to me and Greg when we became parents. So, please, if you do anything this April for Autism Awareness Month for us, just cheer because Greg and I are hitting our strides and having the time of our lives.