Have you ever had one of those days? I’m not talking about bad-hair days or days when you lose your keys and wind up being late for work. I’m talking about days when your Autism Spectrum kids are melting down at the same time, your Spina Bifida child hasn’t urinated in eight hours and might need a catheter, your husband is in bed sick, and you can’t move without pain because your fibromyalgia is in full gear. My normally unpredictable day has turned into a series of chaotic events that shatter the fragile peace and leave the shambles of my eventful life raining down around me like ash after an eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. All of you parents of children with Autism know what I’m talking about, don’t you?
You might ask, “How do you keep your sanity?” First, I have to give credit to God. He gets me through each day. I couldn’t do this without Him. Without His peace, love, and guidance I would have been a greasy smudge on the road of life a long time ago. My husband would be next on the list. He’s the only one on this earth who knows exactly what I’m going through; exactly what it feels like. The third on my list would be my mom. I talk to her every day, usually more than once, and she lends me her ear, her empathy, and her experience as a teacher.
I encourage everyone to find someone who will listen to you vent, who won’t run away when things get messy-and they do get messy. If you have a hard time getting away from home, like me, online communities are great. It’s helpful to see that you are not alone in the obstacles you are facing as a parent of a special-needs child. There are forums for Spina Bifida, Autism, Tourette's Syndrome, Sensory Processing Disorder, and many other diagnoses. There are also local support groups who meet all over the U.S. and they are a great resource for us.
I think the most important thing for me is feeling like I'm not alone in the fight for my children. Sharing information, talking about the challenges we face, and helping those who are in situations similar to our own is very therapeutic and fulfilling. Please remember today: you are not alone; there is someone who cares.
You might ask, “How do you keep your sanity?” First, I have to give credit to God. He gets me through each day. I couldn’t do this without Him. Without His peace, love, and guidance I would have been a greasy smudge on the road of life a long time ago. My husband would be next on the list. He’s the only one on this earth who knows exactly what I’m going through; exactly what it feels like. The third on my list would be my mom. I talk to her every day, usually more than once, and she lends me her ear, her empathy, and her experience as a teacher.
I encourage everyone to find someone who will listen to you vent, who won’t run away when things get messy-and they do get messy. If you have a hard time getting away from home, like me, online communities are great. It’s helpful to see that you are not alone in the obstacles you are facing as a parent of a special-needs child. There are forums for Spina Bifida, Autism, Tourette's Syndrome, Sensory Processing Disorder, and many other diagnoses. There are also local support groups who meet all over the U.S. and they are a great resource for us.
I think the most important thing for me is feeling like I'm not alone in the fight for my children. Sharing information, talking about the challenges we face, and helping those who are in situations similar to our own is very therapeutic and fulfilling. Please remember today: you are not alone; there is someone who cares.
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