"Let's make it work"

C'mon..... y'all know these don't often go together as much as we want them to. 

 Kinda like nuts and gum.  We parents of the "specials" know only too well the hurts our kids feel when they are left out of the social gatherings relative to childhood. 

Organized sports, play dates, sleep overs and yes- the dreaded birthday parties. 

I can say whole-heartedly that my son has not attended a single one.  We have received countless invitations in the few years Timothy has attended school;  of kids who mercilessly invite the entire class~ and for that I'm grateful (don't get me wrong).   Really cool sounding parties too.

 I wonder if the parents know what would happen if I brought Timothy?  The interruptions....the meltdowns.....how I would hate to take the spotlight from the birthday child.

So we politely decline.  Every.  Single.  One.

Until this one arrived..........

I don't know this Mom or even this child personally.  I want to.  Desperately.

This Mom wrote exactly what I needed to see that day and didn't even know it. 

This Mom gives me hope for Timothy's future when sometimes I get stuck in the darkness of his diagnosis.

This Mom is everything I strive to be.

This Mom rocks.

This ------>(ME) Mom will be RSVPing  a HELL YES for the first time ever.  And I can't wait.

 

 

Bam!  Catalina Wine Mixer!

 



What moderate to severe autism looks like for us, today.

So much has changed in such a short time for Timothy I'm having a hard time catching my breath. 

Last week was hard.  I learned Timothy is being discharged from IBI therapy which has been his second home for almost 18 months.  Not so much the hard part.  The hard part was reading he was in the bottom 1 % of 100 of his peers.  Ohhhh did that hurt my heart...........a general blanket of numbness came over me as it sunk in.  Yes this is real.  Its not going away any time soon.  And even as I felt it wash over me I was calm.  I knew these things already, yes.  Not surprised, no. 

I know my son and I know his struggles are real and not buzz words.

I know that when he tries to print his name, today he can't, and that's ok.

I know that when he tries to make it to the toilet, sometimes he can't, and that's ok.

I know that when he tries to fit in he won't today, and that's ok.

I know that when he tries to eat "other" foods, today he can't, and that's ok.

I know that when he tries to tie his shoes , today he can't, and that's ok.

I know that when he tries to do everyday kid things, today he can't, and that's ok.

I know that when he rides the bus (aye, it tis the short one folks) he wears a harness to keep him safe, today, and that's ok.

I know that at seven years old, he wears diapers still, today, and that's ok.

Here's what else I know about my son.....

 

I know he feels happiness today and that's ok.

 

I know he feels loved today and that's ok.

 

I know he tries today and that's ok.

 

Maybe tomorrow he can do something he can't today.  Maybe not.  I am ok with that, either way.

  We live for today and what he can do.  This is what Timothy's autism looks like.  How about yours?



Love comin atcha from my house to yours,

Trish.