Saturday, February 19, 2011

United/Divided

United we stand; divided we fall.
Aesop
 
In the end we are all separate: our stories, no matter how similar, come to a fork and diverge. We are drawn to each other because of our similarities, but it is our differences we must learn to respect.”
Unknown

 
I watched Dr. Oz's show the other day. I don't normally watch his show but a fellow autism mama told me the topic was going to be on the causes of autism. I know this is a hot topic within the autism community. I know and understand that we can't prevent it, if we don't know what causes autism. I, also, do not think it's one thing causing autism.

It was a very divisive hour. I, for one, do not get all the infighting among the autism community. I think we all have a common goal for our loved ones with autism. We want them happy, healthy and whole. We want them to have a life of purpose. We want them to love and be loved. Whether you choose the GFCF diet, you see a Dan doctor, you believe in ABA, Floortime, RDI, or biomed, we want our loved one to no longer suffer from whatever particular demons autism visits on them. 
We can not move forward if we continue to fight amongst ourselves. Our children needs services now and most of them will need supports through out adulthood. We are all entitled to our own choices and opinions regarding our own children.  We know our own child(ren) best. What works for Boy Wonder may not work for your child and vice-versa. No two children with autism are exactly alike nor should their treatments, therapies or education be exactly alike. Autism is not cookie cutter.

Time is marching on for our kids. For their sakes, shouldn't we all make an effort to respect each other's differences of opinions? Isn't that what we are constantly asking of other people? To respect our children's differences? What kind of example are we setting if we can't respect each other's different choices?

It's time to stop fighting amongst ourselves and to start fighting for the reason we are here in the first place. Our kids. Are you willing to try? 




2 comments:

  1. My thoughts exactly. You totally nailed it.

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  2. I agree completely. I never understood the infighting, but I do understand why it makes good press and TV shows. I'm with you - do whatever works for your own kid, who is completely different from my kid. But let's work together for the benefit of ALL of our kids.

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