Perception

The other day, I recieved an email from my sister-in-law. The subject line read 'perception'. It directed me to this link: http://www.ageofautism.com/2009/07/autism-perception-a-bump-in-the-road.html.

Her only note included in the email said, "this article, most likely, will enlighten you. this amazing mother writes what I haven't been able to say...but, often wish I could"

It's a bit overwhelming, long, and at times feels bitter and negative to me. That said, I ask you to please take the time to read it through and you will be able to begin to empathize and understand how dealing with so many things outside of 'normal' can be so overwhelming, bringing a mother, (insert any family or loved one here) to this place.

Although I like to look at things from the 'glass-full' side of life; in reading this, I understand how sometimes that might prove a difficult task for these families. I don't know that I agree with everything that is mentioned in this blog post, but it definitely has information and a perspective that we all need to at least have an awareness of.

My nephew, Bert, is a beautiful boy that we love very much. I have seen the effects of autism in him and in our family for over 10 years and I still don't begin to understand. It is difficult on so many levels, but Bert is also funny, sweet, caring and full of life in many ways...he is just not like us--that doesn't make him 'different', but that is how society sees these children.

I can only imagine that those without exposure or knowledge of this disease are uneducated, confused and at times, frightened by the disease and therefore these children. Ignorance often breeds fear. It is a natural response to the unknown. Unfortunately, even if you don't know anyone on the autism spectrum now, there is a good chance that you will. Sadly, there is now a 1 in 150 chance that a child will have some form of autism. Please read and educate yourself; try to get involved and at least have some understanding and compassion for families that deal with this each and every day. Changes need to come through research and insurance, teaching and so many other areas to make the progress needed with this disease.

Eight Years Ago...

I was in our living room in our home in Jacksonville. The sun was shining...it was a beautiful Florida day. Kira wasn't even yet three months old. She was swinging in her baby swing and I was folding laundry and watching the TODAY Show. When a report came on as “Breaking News", as always, it caught my attention. It seemed like a horrible thing had happened-a plane crash; but never did I begin to imagine the horrific moment in time I had just become a part of...that we had all become a part of.

I called Palmer at work to tell him about this plane that they thought had flown too close to one of the towers. While I was talking to him, they reported more and then they knew, we all knew...this was something HORRIBLE, unimaginable. Something that would change lives and the world as we'd known it --forever.

All I could do was pick up Kira and hold her tight, realizing how blessed we were to have this beautiful child; but in shock and disbelief of what had happened, wondering what would her world be like from this day forward. How could any of us go back to our day-to-day lives? I just sat there, trying to comprehend it; wishing if I just sat there long enough, maybe it wouldn't be real, but unable to stop watching it, all at the same time.

Eight years later, 9/11 is still a day of horrible memories for so many of us, a time to remember and pray, especially for the lives lost and those left to go on without so many loved ones. But for now, to Kira, it's just another date in September. Soon, I'll have to tell her all about it; what happened that day, the lives and loves lost and those left to carry on. I'll have to tell her about other children her age that unfortunately DO know what 9/11 means because they lost a parent that day. Some had not even yet been born, so even a memory of this parent will never be.

I'll tell her how our country came together and supported each other and help her to see how even in the hardest and most horrible of situations, some good can come of it. I'll tell her of the stories I've heard where someone missed a train, slept through an alarm or got stuck in traffic because they lingered a bit longer saying goodbye to their kids...and so they survived! I'll tell her of all the people that were in the buildings, there in the middle of all of it...but they survived and lived to tell about it. I'll tell her about the people that banded together, helping each other down thousands of steps, trying to get out; looking out for one another, never thinking of themselves. I'll tell her about all the fireman, policeman, emergency workers, good Samaritans and everyday people who sacrificed their lives, saving others. I've already had the opportunity to try to tell her about Todd Beamer from Flight 93 and all the crew and passengers and the sacrifice they made which undoubtedly saved so many more people. So many heroes, so many lost, so very sad.

I hope we will never face anything like this again. I pray that some good really has come out of it and that we can all remember what it was like to stand UNITED, supporting one another. And still, in all of the horror that has been and will be, I pray for peace and love for each other.