Dreams
You see things; and you say, “Why?” But I dream things that never were; and say, “Why not?” (George Bernard Shaw)
I have so many dreams for my daughter. I dream that one day she will live in a world where she will be judged by the content of her character and not her diagnosis of autism. I dream that people will not immediately underestimate her, when they learn of her diagnosis. Instead, they will take the time to see all the potential that lies within her. They will see her humor, compassion, intelligence and one of the most beautiful, gentle souls to ever walk the face of this earth. I dream that one day, I will not have to fight so hard to ensure that she has equal access to opportunity, education and the chance to live as independent a life as possible. I dream that there will come a time when our society will help to ease the crushing financial burdens placed upon families like ours, as we try to provide every form of intervention, education, therapy and medication that our children need to reach their truest potential. I dream that we, as a society, will stop assuming that simply because someone can not speak, that they have nothing to say. I dream that advancements in technology will continue to unlock the voices of so many autistic children and adults, trapped in a world of silence. I dream that our most vulnerable children will no longer be subject to bullying and abuse. I dream that there will no longer be a month, week or day designated to autism awareness, but instead that awareness will permeate each & every day of the year. I dream that my child will get to have her happily ever after, even if it is not the one found in fairy tales & fables. I dream that in her life she will be blessed with true and enduring friendships, and not simply kind acquaintances. I dream that she will get to experience true love and the opportunity to travel through life with a supportive, accepting and loving partner by her side. I dream that she will always continue to believe in herself and her dreams. I dream that she will have a forum one day to teach others so many of the incredibly valuable lessons that she has taught me. I dream that every parent out there, who is burying their head deep in denial, too afraid to accept that their child is on the spectrum, will look at my daughter and see that it is not a death sentence. I dream that we will unlock the mystery of autism and gain a better understanding of this puzzling disorder. Knowledge is power and I dream that we will have more of that one day. I dream so many dreams for my daughter and for the world in which she must live. But dreaming alone is not enough. And so, I will do more than just dream. I will act.
Lovely post. Good luck with your blog.
Loved reading this post. I have a son who is 4 yrs old and have not had him tested yet. He does have those “quirky” issues but otherwise is a very happy, energetic and smart little boy. I’ve had my questions about when to get him tested. I work with him on a one to one as often as I can and he is making great progress. My frustrations are that the educational system will not give him the attention that perhaps he needs to make his environment one that is more friendly to him. Thank you for your words. Would love to meet you one day. Please keep writing, I find comfort in your words!
Thank You
Joe
Thank you Joe. I find great comfort not only in sharing our story, but in knowing that our experiences somehow touch others, like you. I share your frustrations with our educational system. I never will understand why it is that we have to fight and claw our way through the system in order to get what our children deserve. The consistent message seems to be that our kids are simply not worth the investment. How wrong they are about that. I will keep writing, and I hope you will keep reading. Best of luck with your son. Sounds like you are a very devoted parent and he is blessed to have you!
This is a beautiful post. Our children may have different diagnoses, but we share the same dreams, Deborah. There is just one thing I don’t dream about: that Max will be happy. Because he IS happy. And even if some of the good wishes and dreams I project upon him don’t ever happen, he will still be happy.
I am with you Ellen. Life’s hardships and the challenges of autism have done nothing to diminish the joy my daughter experiences on her journey through life. I am in constant admiration of her beautiful, optimistic and peaceful spirit. I have a feeling that our kids have a lot in common. Thank you for reading and for sharing your own story on your blog.