Having a child is scary, having a child with a disability is even scarier.
Wow.....to never Know, what might have or could have been???

My Son, was 2 years old when we learned that he had Autism....and it has been an uphill journey. And the one thing I have learned is that, just when I think I have it all Figured out....well, I was obviously reading the wrong instruction manual.
However, my child and autism has made me a better person, then I could have or would have ever been. I think it has made me stronger and more tolerant to things that, I may not have been as tolerant with before. I have also found a purpose in my life, and that is to advocate and help each child and parent, that I can, to reach their fullest potential. When my son, was first diagnosed, the future didn't look good at all, but God put some people in my life for a reason, and I still remember the advice I was given, so many years ago!

There was a lady that went to my church, and I had grown up with her children. She actually raised a disabled child too...but back then we just called him slow. Anyway, I remember telling her that, we had just gotten the diagnosis of Autism. She looked at me, and said, "You don't look very happy about it?" and I replied, "no, we're not." She then told me, "Remember, God has a reason for everything, and God Loves Him more than, We do!!!" Well, I was just astounded, because, I'm the child's mother, and I cannot even imagine somebody, loving my child more than I do....but I know that God has counted the number of Hairs on his head....and I know....God Does love him more than I do. Which is still a pretty big concept to wrap my tiny brain around at times.

The second person was a complete stranger, I was in McDonald's and my son, was having a major meltdown. And there was this scruffy man, who looked like he could have been homeless or a construction worker of some sort. I don't really know, but that was the thought that was going through my head at the time. My son, was having a hard time, because autistic children do not like to Wait, nor do the understand the concept of waiting. So I told the man in front of me, " I'm Sorry, he's Autistic." He looked at me and Smiled, and he said, "That's Ok, God Don't make Mistakes." Boy, I really needed to hear somebody tell me that, cause at that moment, I was feeling really frustrated and Discouraged.

The final piece of advice, came from a lady I was working with, who also happened to have an autistic teenager. One day I asked her, if she had any good advice she could share with me. She told me...." Many people and Professionals told me that my son wouldn't be able to do a lot of things.... such as, going to school, communicate and let alone function in society, and he has proven a lot of them wrong. So NEVER GIVE UP, AND NEVER SAY YOUR CHILD CANT, BECAUSE IF YOU THINK HE CANT, HE WONT....NEVER SAY NEVER!

Now that my son is 10 years old, I can honestly say...SHE WAS RIGHT! There was a time, I didn't think I would ever hear.... Hi Mommy, I love you! But he can say it. I had almost given up hope that he would ever Pee in the toilet....But he is doing it! No, we haven't conquered everything....But man, looking back, we have come a long way.

And yes, there are days when I can say....AUTISM SUCKS AND I HATE AUTISM TODAY, But I STILL LOVE MY CHILD!!! Its not easy to be a parent, let alone the parent of a disabled child. Even my so called, Normal Children, have moments. If God had problems with Adam and Eve, what makes me think I'm not gonna have bad days too? Suddenly, I am reminded that the hard work is worth the effort, as I watch, my son stacking ABC blocks and saying, "Hop On Pop, by Dr. Seuss".....something he couldn't do a couple of years ago. God has allowed me to witness a miracle.

Its because we know how bad, the bad times really are, we can truly appreciate the good times that much more, Miracles Happen, before our eyes, and I believe in Miracles.

Written by: Lisa Morrell

May 2007