11 years ago this past Saturday to be exact, my wonderful son was born, and life as I had known it changed. My husband and I new that having children would make a difference in our lives. Back then we didn’nt know what we later came to know as the World of Autism.
All during my pregnancy I prayed for a healthy baby boy, and an obedient child. I also worried about being a good mother to my son up to the time of his delivery which was by C-section. The plan for the C-section was for me to be awake during the delivery but the stress I placed on myself caused me to black out and miss the whole birth of my son.
Anyway, it’s been 11 years since that day, and I must say it’s been a wonderful, challenging, and different experience than I had dreamed of. I had suspected that something was wrong or different with our infant son. Then, finally when he was 11/2 I told the doctor I thought Nathan was autistic. Of course the doctor said no way because Nathan had great eye-to-eye contact. After much research and further evaluations we were told our son was autistic. Autism-what did that really mean? We didn’t know much about autism even though we are both in the medical field. But we were very determined to find out all we could about autism and to make sure Nathan got all the therapy he needed to make him successful in reaching his highest optimal level.
Since Nathan’s diagnosis of autism, and with prayers and therapy Nathan has made wonderful gains. Sometimes he surprises us when he makes new gains. My husband and I let Nathan develop at his own pace, without looking for “quick cures”. It’s great to just see him blossom before our eyes, I think a cure would take the joy out of seeing him grow into his own wonderful self but I don’t know? Then, it could be a blessing we have waited for. Right now we all have just learned to live with autism, and we’re curious to see what the next 11 years God has in stored for us.
It’s very important we give our children the necessary help and tools to overcome these obstacles. There are parents that don’t face the realities when their children have problems and in turn the children don’t get the help they need.
I’m happy you were able to identifiy the problem and get the help needed.Thanks for sharing your story.
Wow, Sharron, you have quite a story! I’m so glad that you were able to share this and that you are a person that takes action…
Tamara, I was wondering where you saw the article. Now I know since I finally was able to log into this blog. Thanks for stopping by.
Hi. Thanks for writing.
In 1946 doctors told mom I was autistic and should be in the state sanitarium so they could take proper care of me. She said..NO!.. So glad. Very hard for her back then. Women status = child obedient, quiet, smart, and politely social.
Right. I was quiet (sometimes) and smart, but not linear logical smart. Picture smart, but this world was very not nice. All words and touch and stuff with no meanings.
Mom let me learn my way, got me into dance so I could walk, got me ‘Elocution’ lessons so I could speak more clearly and vent of some of my passions. She found a way to get my teeth fixed without braces and found a ‘game’ to play that would get my heels on the floor so I could walk ‘normal’. (There really is no ‘normal’.) She never ever told me I was sick or not normal or needed help. She let me struggle…and did I ever resent that! Until one day several years ago, I read an article by an autistic lady from Australia.
OMG! There’s somebody here (Earthside) who’s like me! I’m not alone! Later I called Mom and said, “I think I’m autistic.” A simple ‘Yes’ gave me affirmation and the subtle undercurrents in her voice told me of her agonies.
Thank you for loving your son and getting for him whatever it is that is ‘right’ nowadays. I am proud of you.
I’m doing fine now. Married for 43 and still in love. My son is middle age and happily married. I’m a professional Artisan Penmaker with a thriving business. No matter what challenges you come up to in being parents of an autistic child, progress will be made. You child will never be neuro-typical. Your child will be him or herself…and God willing able to cope to some level most of the time.
Thank you again. For writing. I’ve not written this before. It’s just right for now and for here.
Love and Light,
Pat
Thanks for leaving a comment. I loved it. I will be keeping this blof up to date. I’ve had so many projects going on that I admit how I neglected something I love. I’ll be posting again starting this Sunday. Take Care and GoD Bless.