I read someone's blog who said that when she told her dad about his grandson having severe autism, she expected to see shock, upset, and denial. Instead, he took a deep breath, paused a moment and said "Well, he's still our Matt."
Acceptance is a wonderful, wonderful thing. Kids may remark on differences but as long as they can relate in some way, they accept. I am constantly amazed as I observe children shuffled from parent to parent, parent to grandparent- aunt - friend; for some this cycle never ends. Drugs, alcohol, abuse, neglect, poverty...when it is everyday, it is the accepted norm. Honestly, would you give a rip about your multiplication tables or your homework when your home life consisted of a constant string of "friends" of your parents coming in and out of the house while you were sent outside so they could use drugs? Would you care about homework if Mom forgot to feed you dinner because she was too busy getting her drink on to remember she had a child? Would you care about your parents at all if they had been arrested, jailed multiple times for child abuse, molestation?
If you are a child...yes, without a moment's hesitation.
Yes, my child has some delays. She struggles, she fails by normal standards sometimes, she will most likely continue that trend her entire childhood.
But truthfully.....who has more of a chance to grow up to have a life worth living? The child that is left like a weed to grow wild, caring for themselves-not being nutured or loved or even accepted by the people who brought them into this world? Or my daughter-cherished, overly-protected at times, brought up by family, friends, church that loves her even when she fails to acknowledge it, provided for on so many levels?
And yet....
My daughter is the one with the labels. Developmentally delayed. Autistic.
And their children are Normal? I think not.
I look at my daughter, and I see a miracle in motion. I see her life stretched out before me and worst-case scenario...she lives in our house and we help her the rest of our lives. That is not a bad outcome, at all. That would be a blessing also. I want her to live life, be happy, love the Lord, serve the Lord. To stay away from drugs, sex and craziness.
What do They see when they look at their children, I wonder? From the outside, it looks like they see another mouth to feed, a mistake, a nuisance, something to use to their advantage, and on a good day-a friend to rely on,confide in, party with.
What they don't see is what I see.
