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? 

26.2

26.2 miles for Boy Wonder.

For all boys AND girls challenged by Autism.

In honor of the parents who blazed the trail.

For those whose biggest heartbreak is yet to come.

In honor of my friend who flies all over the country to get health insurance reform passed for our kids.

And my friend whose words offer me comfort and hope that I'm not alone.

And her husband who tells me I can run it.

And my friend whose faith is inspiring.

And my friend who gave me a glimpse into the possibilities of the future.

And their siblings who grow up quicker but wiser and with more compassion then the average bear.
 
And all my fellow mama bloggers to the right and the rest of my village who don't blog but I think of everyday and fool around on Facebook with on a regular daily hourly basis.

A 26.2 mile run in the 2011 NYC Marathon for Autism Speaks Team Up in honor of our quirky brilliant beautiful children.

Legs don't fail me now.

If you'd like to support my effort, please email me at BoyWondersMom1004@yahoo dot com for the link to my donation page.

This Would Be Funny If It Weren't So Damn True

A Village

Hillary Clinton said it takes a village to raise a child. That's even more true when you have a special needs child.  We have a case manager, a teacher, paraprofessionals, occupational therapists, physical therapists and speech pathologists to name a few.

But what about us Mamas? Its been hard for me to connect with anyone here in the heavily populated 'burb where I reside. I tried the whinebitchcomplain support group at Boy Wonder's school. It wasn't a good fit. I found my village online. I've been fortunate to have met a few of them in person. This weekend I met even more of them.

It is wonderful to NOT have to explain. To speak in the shorthand of  special needs mama. A sigh, a sentence that doesn't have to be finished because your thoughts and feelings are understood. Compassion without judgment or pity.

We drank and ate. We laughed like lunatics. We shared our stories. We cried and then laughed some more. 

If your village is not in your hometown, look online. Read blogs. Comment. Write your own blog. We're here. To laugh with you, to cry with you, to have some tequila with you, to catch you when it's all too much and we are here to celebrate when your child hits one out of the park.

Come find us. We're waiting.