Run, Run, and Run On

Yes I am running again this year with Team Up with Autism Speaks in the Allstate Boston Half.  I've been asked when I'll stop running but I don't plan on stopping. Boy Wonder will always have autism. His sisters will always have a brother with autism.  I don't run for a cure. We are long past the stage where I use words like cure or recovery. Boy Wonder has autism. He is profoundly needs life time care autistic.

So why do I keep running? Why do I stand up at Board of Ed meetings and say no this isn't right? Because my little boy's life still has potential, meaning and value. He has taught me what unconditional love for your child means. He taught me the joy is in the small moments of achievements. That the nots and the nevers aren't necessarily true.

I run because more children will be diagnosed this year with autism than with any other type of lifelong disability. When Boy Wonder was diagnosed 6 long/short, all mixed together years ago, the rate was 1 in 150. The rate now is closer to 1 in 50. I wonder what it will be if I/We don't do something now when Diva and Sweet Baby Girl are thinking about having children.

I run for the special educators who love our kids, for the services Boy Wonder will need when he ages out of the education system because the waiting lists for those services are endless, I run to know why my boy has autism so his sisters can make their choices with more knowledge than I did. I run for his sisters (and all the other siblings) who love their brother and know how to make him laugh and smile despite being only three and five years of age.

I run because I can because there's nothing I wouldn't do for my three babies.

Cause we are
We are shining stars
We are invincible
We are who we are
On our darkest day
When we're miles away
So we'll come
We will find our way home

If you're lost and alone
Or you're sinking like a stone
Carry on
May your past be the sound
Of your feet upon the ground
Carry on 

Carry on by Fun 

Ed's Note: You can click the Team Up with Autism Speaks to donate or you can click the Allstate Boston Half to register to run.