Couple of days back I saw a couple taking a walk with their child at a park nearby house while I was taking a walk by myself trying to get some fresh air and just let my mind wander about the peaceful moment in a park. I noticed something about the child - he found it difficult to communicate to his parents. I saw the family take a sit on one of the benches nearby and as I passed them I decided to just start a conversation with them.
As I spoke to them, they talked about how much their little kid John loves walking in the park. I tried making some monkey faces and he seem scared, and close to tears. I realised I might have frightened him and was quick to apologise to the parents. As I apologised, little John's parents explained to me that he was autistic and had trouble mixing with strangers.
At 5 years of age, John could speak but lacking fluency but I could see this young lad trying to communicate with his parents. I was touched by how much love his parents were giving him, with complete understanding of how much he is trying.
Out of curiousity and to understand better how it is like being a parent caring for a child John. I was glad that they were more than willing to share their experiences with me. For them, they had made additional efforts during pregnancy that both parents went for parenting classes, which helped them identify signs of autism or down syndrome. So, when they had little John they were quick to identify little John's condition. It was sad news for them but nevertheless they both promised themselves to give their best care to little John.
I was astonished when they told me they had invested close to RM2,000 on books on autism and how to approach child care for autistic kids. Deep down in me, I could tell how much they were putting in to make sure little John had proper care.
I asked them how difficult was it to care for John - for them, it is not easy because John found it difficult to be alone when he was younger. His mom made the sacrifice to be a full time house wife and patiently conditioned John to not be afraid of being alone. They told me so much more about their experience and it will probably take forever to talk about it here..........
After a long conversation with them, I left for home and thanked them so much for sharing their experience. I learnt something valuable - parents' love for their kids is something unmeasurable and uncomparable. I was very touched, and I took a minute to thank God for allowing me to meet such wonderful people. I got home and I stumbled upon an inspirational story, which I am about to share with you below...... enjoy.....
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What They Forgot to Mention By Sandy Sotzen
Although I was expecting hardship, I found surprising joy in my autistic son.
I remember the day of my son’s diagnosis of autism as if it were yesterday. The tone of the doctor’s voice, the silence in the room, the words “lifelong disability, no cure, I’m sorry” still sting when I allow myself to reflect on that day. But I have paused on occasions too numerous to count and thought, Someone should've mentioned that this would be part of the package when my child was diagnosed with autism. Someone forgot to mention that I would listen to my child's simple utterances or attempted approximations as if he was a world leader giving the speech of a lifetime. I could never have imagined the worth of a single word despite the fact that I may never hear it again.
Someone forgot to mention that when my son was finally potty-trained at age nine, there would be few people who could understand the significance of such an accomplishment, and even fewer with whom I could actually share it. Accomplishments of any size, their true worth known only to me, would bring quiet celebrations between my son and me.
Someone should've mentioned that autism is messy! Wallpaper's meant to be shredded, bathrooms are designed to be flooded, walls are bare in order to smear stuff on them, washable paint really isn’t, and more food will actually be crushed and dropped than eaten.
I wish someone would've mentioned that autism is extremely expensive! Doctors, therapists, medications, supplements, conferences, and sensory equipment are only the tip of the iceberg. I could not have guessed that my child's disability would allow people to cross our path in life who otherwise would not have, and that such people would willingly respond to a child in need.
Someone should have mentioned that each time a child with autism initiates or engages in a reciprocal hug, that feeling that you had when you held him for the first time comes back time and time again.
And they forgot to mention the day my son was diagnosed with autism that the triumphs over this disability would far outweigh the tears, that laughter would eventually ease the sense of loss, and that sheer faith would allow me and millions of other parents to fall into bed exhausted each night, only to get up the next day eager to discover what else they forgot to mention.
As I spoke to them, they talked about how much their little kid John loves walking in the park. I tried making some monkey faces and he seem scared, and close to tears. I realised I might have frightened him and was quick to apologise to the parents. As I apologised, little John's parents explained to me that he was autistic and had trouble mixing with strangers.
At 5 years of age, John could speak but lacking fluency but I could see this young lad trying to communicate with his parents. I was touched by how much love his parents were giving him, with complete understanding of how much he is trying.
Out of curiousity and to understand better how it is like being a parent caring for a child John. I was glad that they were more than willing to share their experiences with me. For them, they had made additional efforts during pregnancy that both parents went for parenting classes, which helped them identify signs of autism or down syndrome. So, when they had little John they were quick to identify little John's condition. It was sad news for them but nevertheless they both promised themselves to give their best care to little John.
I was astonished when they told me they had invested close to RM2,000 on books on autism and how to approach child care for autistic kids. Deep down in me, I could tell how much they were putting in to make sure little John had proper care.
I asked them how difficult was it to care for John - for them, it is not easy because John found it difficult to be alone when he was younger. His mom made the sacrifice to be a full time house wife and patiently conditioned John to not be afraid of being alone. They told me so much more about their experience and it will probably take forever to talk about it here..........
After a long conversation with them, I left for home and thanked them so much for sharing their experience. I learnt something valuable - parents' love for their kids is something unmeasurable and uncomparable. I was very touched, and I took a minute to thank God for allowing me to meet such wonderful people. I got home and I stumbled upon an inspirational story, which I am about to share with you below...... enjoy.....
_____________________________________________
What They Forgot to Mention By Sandy Sotzen
Although I was expecting hardship, I found surprising joy in my autistic son.
I remember the day of my son’s diagnosis of autism as if it were yesterday. The tone of the doctor’s voice, the silence in the room, the words “lifelong disability, no cure, I’m sorry” still sting when I allow myself to reflect on that day. But I have paused on occasions too numerous to count and thought, Someone should've mentioned that this would be part of the package when my child was diagnosed with autism. Someone forgot to mention that I would listen to my child's simple utterances or attempted approximations as if he was a world leader giving the speech of a lifetime. I could never have imagined the worth of a single word despite the fact that I may never hear it again.
Someone forgot to mention that when my son was finally potty-trained at age nine, there would be few people who could understand the significance of such an accomplishment, and even fewer with whom I could actually share it. Accomplishments of any size, their true worth known only to me, would bring quiet celebrations between my son and me.
Someone should've mentioned that autism is messy! Wallpaper's meant to be shredded, bathrooms are designed to be flooded, walls are bare in order to smear stuff on them, washable paint really isn’t, and more food will actually be crushed and dropped than eaten.
I wish someone would've mentioned that autism is extremely expensive! Doctors, therapists, medications, supplements, conferences, and sensory equipment are only the tip of the iceberg. I could not have guessed that my child's disability would allow people to cross our path in life who otherwise would not have, and that such people would willingly respond to a child in need.
Someone should have mentioned that each time a child with autism initiates or engages in a reciprocal hug, that feeling that you had when you held him for the first time comes back time and time again.
And they forgot to mention the day my son was diagnosed with autism that the triumphs over this disability would far outweigh the tears, that laughter would eventually ease the sense of loss, and that sheer faith would allow me and millions of other parents to fall into bed exhausted each night, only to get up the next day eager to discover what else they forgot to mention.
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