Autism Awareness

Today starts the month of April which is Autism Awareness Month April 2nd is World Autism Awareness Day Blue is the color for this event. Brody went to school wearing a blue Donald Duck shirt, navy blue shoes and blue McQueen socks. It has been about 18 months since Brody was diagnosed with autism. It has never fully digested or gotten to the point where I am at peace with it. Not sure if I ever will. I have hope and a fight in me to keep going with Brody. There is a lot of potential he will progress and break through barriers little by little and be able to be independent and well-rounded and well-adjusted. It takes SO MUCH work but the hope for the future keeps me going. Autism affects an entire family. Autism never looks the same with each child. During this month of April whether you know someone with autism or not, find out more about it. Visit Autism Society or the Autism Speaks website. Go to http://www.vote4autism.org/ to find out about legislation near you. There is a lot of legislation related to providing more help or service to those with autism - please. Watch the Temple Grandin HBO movie with Claire Danes If you see parents struggling with a child or a child who might be acting a certain way that makes you think, "wow, that child is out of control" or "wow, what type of parent lets their child act like that" - be slow to judge - would you know autism if you saw it? I want to send out a big kudos to my cousin Hillary. She has an adorable little boy Beau who has PDD-NOS (it is easier to say describe it as being in the autism family). She had such a wonderful post about Autism Awareness on her blog. True, she is my gorgeous and awesome cousin and always has been but now I feel a special bond with her cause we share in the fight for our little boys. Hillary - I wish I was in Utah with you and we lived near each other and could hug and cry together and talk about what it is like to be a parent to kids like our boys. I admire you so much. I love you girl!! I will say one of the many things that autism has had an affect on is my heart and my ability to love. I love all mothers, I love all kids, I love all special needs kids, I love all teachers of special needs kids, I love therapists and so many other things that are taken for granted or perhaps things that have a special place in my heart! My heart has grown to love and appreciate so many things. I guess I have learned how endless and deep my love can be!!!