Autism: 30 Days of Thankful
So I gather there is a challenge going on during this month of November on Facebook wherein on each of the 30 days of this month of Thanksgiving, Facebook users must post each day, a thing they are thankful for.
I thought I'd put a little extra twist on this and try to come up with 30 things I am thankful for with regard to my son's autism. As I start here I wonder if I can come up with 30 as I, personally, do not view his autism as a "blessing" as some parents do. I view it as a curse, a nightmare that has robbed him of his childhood and all the experiences connected with it. I view it as a burden that he must carry for the rest of his life, a constant struggle to cope and understand that the regular person has no comprehension of.
Therefore I challenge myself to find 30 things about my son's autism that I should be thankful for.
1. I'm thankful that I have the strength to support my son.
2. I'm thankful that we currently have a superb autism class teacher.
3. I'm thankful that there are professionals with the patience to
work in this field.
4. I'm thankful for the other moms and dads I have met fighting the same fight who offer help to me whenever I need it.
5. I'm thankful for my son's ability to speak, although in cryptic
terms somehow, as there are children who cannot.
6. I'm thankful that my son can use the bathroom by himself, freeing me from diapers as there are children and adults who still need them.
7. I'm thankful that my son can brush his own teeth.
8. I'm thankful that my son can feed himself, although a severely limited diet, but nonetheless he feeds himself.
9. I'm thankful for the people who tell me from time to time,
"you're doing a great job".
10. I'm thankful that my son has found a buddy in our Yellow Labrador Retriever and is capable of expressing concern about him.
11. I'm thankful for my sister in law who is caring enough to come running over to my house when a meltdown is something I cannot control and am worried about. A fresh pair of hands is appreciated.
12. I'm thankful that my son can attend a regular school and get some exposure to the neurotypical kids in some situations.
13. I'm thankful for the new gym teacher who is a drill sergeant with the regular ed kids, but a gentle kind soul with our adaptive PE kids.
14. I'm thankful for people who do not criticize but are open to learning more about autism.
15. I'm thankful when a meltdown onlooker sticks up for my child amidst criticism.
16. I'm thankful that a class aide would actually seek out a job placement working specifically with my son.
17. I'm thankful that my son sleeps through the night and does not have any sleep issues like some folks with autism.
18. I'm thankful for our local Autism Society who provides support
and events and activities for our kids.
19. I'm thankful for our local therapeutic riding center, CATRA which provides our kids with horseback riding opportunities.
20. I'm thankful for the Special Olympics Area M, Cent. PA who gave my son the chance to win the 50 yard dash.
21. I'm thankful that I've made some adult friends with autism who enjoy writing as I do and I thank them for sharing their personal experiences with us all.
22. I'm thankful when my son participates in an event and comes home and says "That was fun!".
23. I'm thankful that I was able to create a small book for our kids with autism called "Curvy Herbie and Straight Nate" and that it is used by teachers, parents and professionals in the field and that it is able to help kids be more flexible. It was a labor of love.
24. I'm thankful that my son is finally working on being able to express his emotions. A long way to go but a start.
25. I'm thankful that this autism journey has shown me to be thankful for the little things we have and share, not clothing, not cars, not prestigious colleges, not soccer teams, just being needed and loved.
26. I'm thankful that as bad as my days with autism are I know that there are loving parents who deal with much worse as they care for their children.
27. I'm thankful for my mom who worked so hard to bring up two children by herself and by doing so taught me to never give up, it never hurts to ask and to believe in your own abilities. It carries me every day.
28. I'm thankful that my son is sitting here in the kitchen singing.
29. I'm thankful that I've had the opportunity to meet a group of people who honestly have no prejudice and treat people as they are treated. They harbor no preconceived notions or biases about people regardless of race, color, creed or physical capabilities.
30 I'm thankful that at bedtime, my son says, without being asked,
"I Love you, you are my best friend".
I'm thankful I made it to No. 30 but I realized it wasn't that difficult.
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