QUOTE (sullysue @ Apr 2 2008, 10:28 AM)QUOTE (GhostGirl @ Apr 2 2008, 10:20 AM) QUOTE (sullysue @ Apr 2 2008, 10:18 AM) QUOTE (GhostGirl @ Apr 2 2008, 09:50 AM) Those who've read my blog know my feelings on lumping all forms of ASD together...this spectrum is SO wide. I feel it's unfair to have all the "feel-good" stories and very few of the realistic ones about kids who aren't high functioning.
For example:
'You get a slice of heaven and a pure love in your home' <----click
Pure love? Yes. Slice of heaven? Erm...
Story Highlights
* Parents share tales of raising children with autism through iReport.com
* "It's going to be hard," Selma Crosby says, but parents of autistic children are lucky
* "I wouldn't have it any other way," says Sandra Trammell, mother of autistic Mila
Well, I don't know Mila or her mom, but I sure as HELL would have it another way for my son, and while I feel lucky to have 2 beautiful boys, I would quite literally give my right arm for Stephen to be "normal."
Saying it's "A slice of heaven," does seem inappropriate, doesn't it? I suppose that might be the only way those parents have to deal with it. I can only imagine how overwhelming it must be to effectively raise a child with autism and maintain your sanity. Perhaps they have to put on rose-colored glasses just to make it through. It seems kind of a strange approach, though. And, to say that parents with autistic children are lucky? I dunno.
Right...it might apply to kids who are higher functioning, and I can certainly understand looking on the bright side. I do it myself, but I don't for one second claim that I'm happy with the way things are.
This is why I wish there was a clear distinction between HFA (high functioning autism) and what I call "classic" autism, like Stephen has.
People see the J-Mac basketball stories and so forth, and they say, "Why, that's just great! What are YOU whining about?"
It's just SO different, you know?
And, that's where the awareness needs to take a step up. With attention increasing, maybe it will evolve to where a clear distinction is made. I guess a lot of people are just learning about autism in its general context, and that's good. With more and more information and scientific study hopefully "Autistic" won't be used as a blanket term.
Hello Michelle,
I know you don't know my daughter Mila or myself. I have accepted the fact that Mila will never be "normal," but what is the definition of "normal?" Mila is an honest, polite and a beautiful girl. She hold no grudges, learning how to lie (is that a good feature of being normal?), and very intelligent. She has many taught many good life lessons. I used to be a Pediatric Critical Care nurse, but now I am more involved with Mila's therapies and more attentive to her school needs. Mila has taught me patience, honesty, perserverance, and acceptance. I was at the state capital last week and witness an unanimous decision from the House of Insurance (Appropriations) that autism treatments should be covered by health insurance in Louisiana. I witnessed that numbers make a difference. I was born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario and loved listening to RUSH. I could have moved back home to Canada where the government would cover treatments for Mila, however, there was a reason why I moved to the United States. I never thought that my dreams would change once Mila came along. I believe there is a reason why things happen and my purpose in life is to help Mila and those that would follow our footsteps. I am in a program called Partners in Policymaking and I am learning that we can make a difference. Our politicians and educators work for us. I had an autism awareness day at Mila's school that was unheard of in the public school system. Tomorrow, Mila will be awarded because she wrote her first story that won state. The local TV channel will be there to highlight the event. The media creates more awareness.
I pray for you and your son.
Take care,
Sandra Trammell
