I saw this quote on The Joy of Autism today. It’s from Audre Lorde.

“When I dare to be powerful - to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.”

I doubt she had parents of autistic children in mind at the time, but if she had the strength of conviction and determination to say these words given everything she faced, I have no excuses to make for myself.

When you’re the parent of an autistic child and your strength, determination, and conviction about doing however much work it takes to help your child realize their full potential starts taking over inside of you, you realize that this precious child in front of you is your vision.

Before her death, Audre Lorde took the name Gambda Adisa, meaning Warrior: She Who Makes Her Meaning Known.

If that doesn’t give you goosebumps when you think about your child, go back and read it again until it does.

We took J-man to the doctor yesterday for a physical. The county requires one as part of the paperwork to get him into the school system setting, versus the Early Intervention setting. The office did very well getting us in on time, but the J-man was NOT HAPPY about being there. He certainly knows that the doctor’s office is rarely a fun place for him.

While we were there, the doctor talked to us a good bit about what we were doing in terms of therapies and the like, and what our plans were for the near future. We told her about the special preschool J-man attends, and his speech, developmental, and occupational therapies. We talked about food, and how what he eats is limited by his sensory issues, and she gave us a few tips about getting some extra calcium into him.

She seemed pleased at the progress he is making, and understanding of how far he has come, although he’s still delayed in most areas. J-man wandered around during that portion, so she got to see him not freaking out… and called him adorable. (Of course she did. He IS adorable.)

Then she said, “It’s so great that you are doing this now when he’s
so young. The earlier the therapies start, the better the outcome usually is. You guys are doing a great job.”

It was nice to hear that. It’s especially nice because I never feel like I’m doing enough, but I also have to have a life too, so I’m constantly pulled in two ways. (Or seven…)

When we were finished, and J-man was all dressed again, she asked him if he was ready to go and get in the car. He looked up at her and raised his arms, and said, “GO CAH!”

Go man go!