Saturday, August 15, 2009

SOOC Saturday - Being Loved Part Two

Its 2007.

I am listening to a doctor's presentation on the medical treatment of Autism.( considered alternative treatment by the mainstream medical community )

His own son regressed into Autism.

He is describing his son's regression."Z stopped using words. We slowly noticed that he talked less and less"

He adds sadly ""For Z, Mama" was the last word to go"

Mama!

This last bit, breaks my heart and I leave the room filled with pain for the unknown Z, who hung on to the comfort of the word - Mama -for as long as he could.

But Z's mama could not help him. And neither could R's.

This moment- having this feeling - stands out in my mind as signature of my feelings that year.

Sadness, Confusion, Anger, Guilt

Two years later, as I am getting ready to change my Autism car magnet from "Autism Awareness" to this new one, I think about how symbolic it is of the journey I have been on.

In the beginning, Autism advertising and programming filled me with fear, (though I obsessivly watched every program and read every magazine)

Would he love me no more ?

Would my child turn into a stranger?

So hard to believe.
For R even in the midst of a regression - even while losing skills - seemed his own sweet self.

Surely what makes him R, was more than what he could do

If the awareness and fear side of the Autism debate, felt not quite right, the neurodiversity movement was not a perfect fit either.

It never felt right to congratulate someone when they find out their child has autism ( though I love autistic people.)

Nor did R ever feel like he was from another planet.

He is so much of me and of DH.

In this confused time, the only thing that made sense was to learn more about Autism.(And indeed, I did this with obsession)


That was the year of Autism Awareness. And so my car said




It was the time of wanting to read every book,every "rescue story" that there was, searching for the magic answer in the black and white.

But even in this time of fear and worry, the love and the sweetness of this child, made me wonder-is my life really so bad?

And slowly I started to dislike the portrayal of ASD children in the media - especially the implication that ASD kids are burdens on society and their parents.

(What a toxic atmosphere that must create especially for the child )

Moreover, R's weight sits lightly in our arms and is precious beyond words.

As more time passed, I have come to realize that

To me its not all about curing Autism

Nor is it all about celebrating Autism

There are many people talking about those things already and they are right in what they believe in.

But for this mother, its about celebrating this child

"Every child deserves to have his mother's face light up when he walks into the room" my friend Heather quoted Maya Angelou the other day

When all is said and done, this is what R needs above all else.

No longer in a place of fear, I have stopped looking outside and I have stopped looking at far away tomorrows

I look inside our lives and I look at today

And life is beautiful .

Because someone with Autism loves me




Here is Part one of this story.
Thanks to T for the suggestion after Part One

For more fun with SOOC Saturday or to participate yourself visit Melody at Slurping Life

22 comments:

Territory Mom said...

I love the new sticker!! Just live in the moment.

Shirin's Art said...

Hi after reading what u hv written i too should stop looking at far way tommorows...and celebrate tha fact that i have a child who loves in his own way.

Mr. Daddy said...

WOW!!! what a beautiful insight...your post really touched my heart.

You could have a perfectly (normal)family, with all the riches and treasures that are available in life, and be beggared beyond belief when compared with you and yours...

Blessings to you and keep living in the moment..

Niksmom said...

This is lovely. And from seeing the photos you've posted in which your son gazes adoringly at you and your husband...could there ever have been a doubt? You are loved deeply and thoroughly by your handsome, smart, delightful child. xo

Lisa said...

Beautiful K as always!

~m said...

Your blog is beautiful. Your son is beautiful. Your heart is beyond beautiful. well done.

Rachel said...

Goosebumps... just beautifully worded.

And I struggle with the same things about myself. Curing or celebrating my deafness - but no easy middle ground.

Discovering the blessings while bonding in a way that has nothing to do with my special needs? Priceless.

Mominin said...

What a beautiful post! And I love the new sticker.

BenLand said...

your words are beautiful....thanks for sharing :)

Pam D said...

What a great way to look at it! Just as the lens, the focus, the speed, how much light you let in, and how close or far you choose to be from the subject can totally alter a photo, so can those same things totally alter your view of a situation. Great post, and great pic!

Casdok said...

Our children teach us so much :)

danette said...

I *love* the new sticker, and as always I love your perspective on things and how you put it into words :). Thanks!

Frogmum said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I love your loving acceptance and devotion to your son :D

robin said...

Loved the post! I also think the new sticker is wonderful!

TJ said...

<3 You've brought tears to my eyes on this beautiful Monday morning. Thank you, K. (((hugs)))

Anonymous said...

Well done, K. What a sensible bringing together of the ends of the spectrum of perception.

Since I now know you work in marketing (yes?) I will challenge you by saying that it is media that makes public perceptions of autism extreme - cure or celebration. ('News' as a product.)

I repeatedly caution my readers to be suspect or be sure of their source of information. Even quoted research can be distorted for an agenda.

The honesty of blogging gives me the message that your readers love you, too. Well done, K.
Barbara

SoCo mom said...

Thank you for your words.

I got impatient with well-meaning people who told me it was okay to grieve when we found out that our son was on the autism spectrum.

Maybe it was ignorance, but I did not see a reason for that. We finally got answers for our questions. Maybe not what a parent hopes to hear, but its not a death sentence either.

Speaking personally, we see his autism as an extension of himself, like his eye colour and quirky humour.

We really feel quite lucky. Because we are -- all of us. Our son is happy, healthy, and sunny. And he loves us.

And now I want one of those bumper stickers! So true and important to remember!

Anonymous said...

Fantastic bumper sticker. I want to get one of those...love it!!!

Anonymous said...

You sure know how to make me cry! This is beautiful.

(FYI- When I'm silent here for a couple of days it's because I know that whatever you've written is good and is going to make me think, so I come back when I know I can take it all in. I hope that makes sense!!)

Hugs,
Julie

melody said...

"But for this mother, its about celebrating this child"

:) Yes it is.

You always brighten my perspective. Thank you.

Hugs and blessings, always.

Carrie N said...

"But even in this time of fear and worry, the love and the sweetness of this child, made me wonder-is my life really so bad?"

Your writing is beautiful. This is so well said.

I'm with you 100%. The love and sweetness tip the scale heavily over the rest. It is definitely not so bad.

JoyMama said...

Chiming in late here - but what a gorgeous balance.

Thank you for this post.

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