Saturday, June 18, 2011

Judgments

I work with a lady who has a son with autism. He is not as high functioning as TC. She and I talk a lot about our boys. It is nice to bond with someone who "gets it". One lady who sits beside me started talking about bad kids the other day and I mentioned my autistic son. I told her I am sure I was judged for TC's behavior and she said, "Well your son is sick, you can always tell." I told her, "No, you can't look at my son and tell he is autistic. It is not like being in a wheel chair, it is not that obvious." I could tell she was just clueless. The thing is, this woman had a stroke a couple of years ago, she is in her 40's and she is so judgmental, I cannot stand that.

But anyways, that is our society. I talk to people everyday, and some of them are mentally handicapped. I try to treat every person I talk to with kindness and especially those who are a little slower mentally. They are people too and deserve kindness. That could be you or me, one thing could happen: a car accident, a stroke, ANYTHING could change your mental capacity. We have no control over life.

Having a special needs child is very challenging. It is frustrating. It can be sad and you wish things could be easier. I think of where TC should be instead of in a special needs classroom....barely learning to read. He should be in a normal 4th grade classroom next year. But he won't be and some days it is a hard pill to swallow. I don't think about it much but I do think about it. I don't cry about it anymore, I accept it. It has made me stronger, better, more understanding and that is a blessing.

2 comments:

Alison said...

Autism is not a visual disablility and for that reason I think it is toally misunderstood. My son has autism and is deaf in one ear but he is who he is and autism has taught me alot and my son has taught me so much more, he is fun loving and happy most of the time and I wont have him any other way. Every one is special and a blessing but kids with special needs are extra special. I accept it too but I also still cry too, every now and then. Take care

Toyin O. said...

Great post, what does not break us should makes us stronger.