As I reflect on the summer activities and think about all we have done and all that has been said I find my self coming beck to a comment that was made by an Aunt - Whom I have had a couple of issues with before and something she said rather ignorantly this reunion. Without specifically naming her the part of this I find so interesting is that she is an exceptionally educated person and actually has one or more degrees in the psychology field which should lend itself to having a greater perception and understanding of Autism. All that being said Dak had a very difficult time the first night all the family got together as it was a crowded noisy restaurant not to mention a strange new place with faces he had not seen for 3 years-- well he did his very best to cope but eventually a glass of soda was spilled and that was the end of all he could do to "cope"-- some of it splashed on him and got on his shoe and sock-- Luckily O was prepared with backups in the car so we calmly removed our selves and went to the car to clean up and change socks-- He did really well but My Aunt leaned over to my mom and said "gee its really ashamed that you all have to deal with these things"
Perhaps she was trying to express compassion and I should take the high road and give her that -- however there have been other instances in the past where she had NO FRICKIN IDEA about Autism and how it affects my son or others -- I wont delve into the past but I guess this was the icing on the cake--
Yes we live with Autism and its the hand we were dealt and although no of us relish the idea we learn how to walk the path .It is a rather long and whindy road and the journey is different than most families travel.
My perspective is this Everyone moves to the beat of a different drummer-- many have the same or similar life Those of us who travel with Autism have a different way of looking at things-- My son is 21 now and although he may never drive a car or live completely independently---He loves to be around his Mom and Dad and Grandma for that matter,He doesn't walk around with his pants down around his knees with his boxers hangin out,He doesn't go out and break curfew ,He doesn't go out and crash his car,He does come home or go out and get drunk or do drugs and he certainly hasn't brought home some girl pregnant
So its all a matter of perspective-- So many parents I know who have "typical children struggle everyday with all kinds of strife or crap for that matter and in my world I have the perfect kid!
