Wouldn't it be wonderful if families living with autism were treated with the same compassion & empathy as a family whose child has a physical disability or serious condition?
Shane & I have been thinking about and discussing this a lot lately and we are clear in our minds that what we would like from the community is to allow us to keep our dignitiy in tact and to show us compassion, empathy and respect.
If you don't live with autism, you can never know what it is like. The daily challenges you face that drive you to exhaustion. They can never understand the delight you feel when after years of toilet training, your child finally does a wee independantly?
Our children are not mere numbers, they are fantastic individuals with great potential. They are often the funniest and cheekiest people you will ever know.The compassion, empathy and respect that the autism community so desperately needs and deserves can only come with autism awareness.
We are working really hard to make this happen next year and are really excited about the potential changes it could make to community awareness. If you are a family living with autism, hang in there and don't accept anything less than respect from people who you have to work and deal with because of autism (be it treatment, therapy, social outings or education).
Community acceptance and understanding about autism is just around the corner. I just know it!
Keep smiling & happy rainbows.
Allison xxx
2 comments:
I have to say, two of the most loveable amazing children I know are autistic, and I miss them every day. They changed my life. Their mother is the strongest woman I know. She changed my life too. I know families living with autism have what seem to insurmountable challenges- but keep your heads up, and know that your child could be the first encounter someone has with autism- and they could change that person's life too. Treat every encounter with the attitude that this is an opportunity for autism awareness. Your children are amazing- some people just haven't figured it out yet.
What an awesome post! It is so true that if one does not live with autism every day then they have no idea what it is like. And I just hate it when those people have all kinds of advice when they are clueless!
You are right that autistic individuals are so precious and funny and simply amazing!
Post a Comment