Autism's Night Before Christmas

I came across this poem through an on-line support group in the King County area for parents of kids with Autism. I felt that it embodied pretty much all the challenges and joys of raising a child with Autism. It's the most heart-breaking thing to watch your child struggle with the simplest tasks but it also gives you the most overwhelming joy to witness (and maybe help a little) his success and achievements...even if they are small ones. As this year comes to an end, I can say that although Autism was not welcomed in our family, we're all better because of its arrival. We're all a little more patient, a little more tolerant, a little more understanding and a whole lot more compassionate after the "boot camp" we have gone through preparing for this life-long battle. We did have an awesome Christmas holiday and now it's on to the new year and to all its new challenges and rewards. BRING IT ON 2009, the De Armas are ready to roll!

The Night Before Christmas, from the world of autism

A Walk in My Shoes

C. Waeltermann, 2007

Twas the Night Before Christmas

And all through the house

The creatures were stirring

Yes, even the mouse

We tried melatonin

And gave a hot bath

But the holiday jitters

They always distract

The children were finally

All nestled in bed

When nightmares of terror

Ran through my OWN head

Did I get the right gift

The right color

And style

Would there be a tantrum

Or even, maybe, a smile?

Our relatives come

But they don't understand

The pleasure he gets

Just from flapping his hands.

"He needs discipline," they say

"Just a well-needed smack,

You must learn to parent.."

And on goes the attack

We smile and nod

Because we know deep inside

The argument is moot

Let them all take a side

We know what it's like

To live with the spectrum

The struggles and triumphs

Achievements, regressions….

But what they don't know

And what they don't see

Is the joy that we feel

Over simplicity

He said "hello"

He ate something green!

He told his first lie!

He did not cause a scene!

He peed on the potty

Who cares if he's ten,

He stopped saying the same thing

Again and again!

Others don't realize

Just how we can cope

How we bravely hang on

At the end of our rope

But what they don't see

Is the joy we can't hide

When our children with autism

Make the tiniest stride

We may look at others

Without the problems we face

With jealousy, hatred

Or even distaste,

But what they don't know

Nor sometimes do we

Is that children with autism

Bring simplicity.

We don't get excited

Over expensive things

We jump for joy

With the progress work brings

Children with autism

Try hard every day

That they make us proud

More than words can say.

They work even harder

Than you or I

To achieve something small

To reach a star in the sky

So to those who don't get it

Or can't get a clue

Take a walk in my shoes

And I'll assure you…

That even 10 minutes

Into the walk

You'll look at me

With respect, even shock.

You will realize

What it is I go through

And the next time you judge

I can assure you

That you won't say a thing

You'll be quiet and learn,

Like the years that I did

When the tables were turned

Source: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/AutismKing/message/19489