To our beautiful Jack,
May you bask in the sunshine of your uniqueness.
May you shine in the beauty of you.
May you always know of the blessings you bring to our lives.
We love you to the moon and stars and back… forever,
Mum, Dad & Annie. xx
Today we celebrate Autism Awareness Day.
Today we embrace what autism means to us.
Today we look with hope to a future of understanding and acceptance.
Today we look forward with love.
What a week this has been!
Casdok posted a few days ago about having “one of those weeks” and it seems in my blog travels that many of us have had similar sorts of weeks… well I know I have anyway…!!
After my recent post, “Sometimes life just feels too hard”, I sat down to respond to the many comments I received, and was quite taken aback. I was touched by the many ’shining lights’ that were within the comments, and the thoughts that were shared.
The comments posted were so much more than supportive and inspiring… through the comments left I discovered what a truly beautiful thing people involved with ’special’ kids share… we share a strength that knows no boundaries (especially when things get tough - and boy do they get tough!!), and we share an ability to keep on keeping on… no matter how hard it gets (and despite the moments we have where we just want to give up!)…
After my post this week I felt understood - all kids are different for sure, but sometimes people have to walk in similar shoes to really understand… and I feel blessed that I have such wonderful people around me who understand what it is like to walk in ‘different’ shoes…
Jack’s first day of school was a big moment in our house this week, and as Steve posted, one that went smoothly and successfully. His first two days of school were short days (only 3 1/2 hours each day) so this week will be the challenge - he faces full 6 1/2 hour days. For the first few weeks of the school term the ‘Prep’ class has Wednesday at home as a rest day - Jack will really need this day, and his teacher has suggested that if we need to we can take extra ‘rest’ days or afternoons as we go.
So the tears finally eased by the end of the week… and yes, the sun is starting to poke through again. And I truly hope that for many of my blogging friends that this week the sun will again begin to come up in your lives.
There is one thing that I’ve worked out over the last few days - the difficult and really challenging times that we face definitely make us stronger, and allow us to really appreciate the wonderful times that we have in our lives.
Much love and hugs to you all!
Elissa xx
Author unknown
There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and noticed she had only three hairs on her head. “Well,” she said, “I think I’ll braid my hair today!”
So she did and she had a wonderful day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head.
“H-M-M,” she said, “I think I’ll part my hair down the middle today!”
So she did and she had a grand day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only one hair on her head.
“Well,” she said, “today I’m going to wear my hair in a pony tail.”
So she did and she had a fun, fun day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn’t a single hair on her head.
“YEA!” she exclaimed, “I don’t have to fix my hair today!”
Attitude is everything.
Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly…..
Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.
From My Daily Insights (As A Man Thinketh)
Our son’s autism is not an illness or a disease…
It is simply a difference in the way he thinks, processes and responds to the world…
Who is not to argue that perhaps one day, our son’s way of seeing the world may become ‘normal’…
Today is the birth date of the revered Martin Luther King - a man who fought for acceptance and diversity… a man who saw the worth in all people, and fought for their freedom.
Today is a day to reflect on how far we have come in this world, in terms of acceptance and understanding. Yes, the road we still have to travel will be long and difficult, but there is hope… King saw this hope, and we must too.
There is hope that one day the difference and diversity in our world will be accepted and understood, that all will be free from discrimination and judgement, that all will be equal… “free at last, free at last…”
I HAVE A DREAM
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May we honour diversity, may we honour all people’s worth…
As we look to begin 2008, it is an appropriate time to reflect on the year that has passed - the year that autism became a real part of our lives - and celebrate the wonderful memories that 2007 holds.
This was the year that we discovered Jack for who he really is - we have learned more about him, and about ourselves as a consequence. 2007 has been a huge year for personal growth, and for developing our family relationships.
This was a big year of relief - finding answers… and with this came plenty of tears as well as plenty of joy as we made our way through the emotional battlefield that comes as part of finding a diagnosis.
This was a year to learn about letting go - and to trust that with enough love, our children will find their way in life.
This was a year for courage, and for finding the strength to move forward.
This was a year for questions, and for simply being content that the answers were there.
This was a year for learning, knowing, and living autism - and discovering that labels don’t have any bearing on how much you can love your child… yes, we love autism completely and unconditionally.
This was the year where our lives were turned upside down, but where our lives started to make some sense.
And as the new year begins, we remember that this year, 2007, was most definitely a year to be grateful for.
Elissa & Steve 
WISHING EVERYONE A HAPPY AND JOY FILLED 2008 - MAY ALL YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE!
Today we just wanted to share a poem that really touches our hearts - and for us, there could be ‘no other’ than the 2 beautiful children we are blessed with.
The Poem is by Sally Meyer, and is just one of many beautiful and touching poems that she has written, inspired by her autistic son. If you have a chance, take a look at some of her other pieces here.
I Would Still Choose You
People have asked me what I would do
if I had the choice to change or cure you,
And often in times of worry or pain
I listen to that question, rebound in my brain.
I think of the days when you drive me to tears,
and how the future brings all sorts of fears,
Yesterday you wiped your nose on the
teachers’s sleeve and what you did next
was hard to believe.
You took my best marker and drew on the wall
then ran outside naked, kicking a ball, You cried
when I told you, it was time for bed went kicking
and screaming and banging your head
This morning when the bus came, you would
not get on because there was a teacher, who was
the wrong one.At school they told me you bit a
small boy and smeared all your food with a
faceful of joy.
All night you were up, afraid of the dark,
in the morning you wanted to go to the park,
you tested my patience when you hit your
brother and said a bad word to your sweet
Grandmother.
At dinner you ate one chip and some fries
of course that should not be such a surprise,
From day one, you were picky
about what you would eat and
you never ate anything
like veggies or meat.
In the bathtub tonight you took soap and shampoo
got lost in the bubbles that hid you from view.
then you dumped all the water onto the floor
and cried when I told you, there would be no more!
But……………………………………………………….
When I look at you sleeping.I think and I muse
knowing there is no other, that I could choose
when they ask me that question of what I would do.
you know my sweet darling, it would always be you!!
c. Sally Meyer 1999
It seems a number of our fellow bloggers have been hitting the 100th post milestone lately - and today we join them!
And we thought the perfect way to mark the occasion would be with a lovely uplifting message titled “Mother’s View On Autism”
This video is simple and heartfelt - it is a mother’s message of love and acceptance.
Enjoy!
Elissa & Steve
PS - Spend some time today reflecting on the ‘brightness’ that a person with autism has brought to your life.
Our Son has Autism
He is:
A udacious
U nique
T enacious
I ndividual
S ensitive
M ethodical
He has a special place in this world
Autism often receives much negative ‘press’ (so to speak) so today we want to give gratitude for some of the wonderful things that autism has brought to our lives.
We are lucky to have autism in our lives. We are not disregarding the fact that there are always challenges that come as part of the package, but who we are as people is so much richer because of it.
We came across this poem that seemed to fit our lives so well:
By Jamie Knopik
If only you could comprehend how hard life is for me,
I know I’m only a little boy, but my world I want you to see.
Things are always changing right before my eyes,
but don’t you see I can not change with the direction of the tide?
It’s a different kind of world I see, with my big brown eyes;
they call it autism, and they think it’s my demise.
What I’d really like for them to know
is that my life is really about surprise.
Everyday is something different–something very new,
a phone, a clock, no a watch, I mean a shoe.
Sometimes I have a hard time expressing what I want,
and changing my mind … well I do that a lot.
I have a hard time talking to people; please don’t think I’m rude.
I try to talk to another child: I really do.
But sometimes my words don’t work, and I hit instead–
now I really blew it, and no one wants to be my friend.
Some people are trying to find a cure for autism right now as I speak,
but why do I need to be cured?
There is nothing wrong with me.
Please don’t try to heal me, I’m not sick;
and instead of trying to fix me, enjoy my creativity.
My autism makes me who I am and sets me far apart,
but it only brings me closer to my family’s heart.
Autism is not something you should accept—it’s something to embrace;
for life with me is full of wonder and constant change.
I break up the monotony of daily life,
and although I don’t mean to, I sometimes cause some strife.
Autism changed me from all others except for my own kind,
and it has succeeded in showing all the world,
that love and autism bind.
Inspired by my darling son Donovan
September 6, 2006
"I'm not concerned with your liking or disliking me... all I ask is that you respect me as a human being." (Jackie Robinson)
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Elissa and Jack
Elissa and Steve
Jack and Annie playing in the garden
Jack
Jack and Annie
OUR AWARDS
