a little background

hi, my name is mandy and I have two amazing little boys. My oldest son, Ty, has been diagnosed with autism (which is what you will read most about in this blog); I also have Tripp, who is an amazing little brother to Ty (who you will also hear alot about). I was encouraged to start this blog to document our journey through life and life with autism... my world has been rocked in last few years and i have responded in good ways and bad ... but Jesus has gotten me through all of it...





i hope i can be an encouragement to you, and for the friends and family that will read this - maybe this will keep you posted indepth on what Ty is learning! :) and the adventures of Tripp too





thank you for reading, and if you have any questions, comments or smart remarks; feel free to post them.



Tuesday, October 25, 2011

words

Oh how I wish I could give Ty my words & I would remain silent the rest of my days on this earth!?...I heard a praise song on the radio that I have heard at least 1000 times but it spoke so clearly to my heart "the deaf will hear the dumb Will speak & the dead will rise again".Needless to say I was almost brought to tears, every person that can't speak on this earth will speak one day & what better words could be spoken than to praise our Creator! Now don't get me wrong I still want him to talk & we will continue his therapy but if God allows this to remain a struggle for Ty, I know that one day he will communicate without any hesitation or frustrations...I just have to be OK with that right now...

I've always heard "choose your words" and I don't always abide by this...there are some days that I should probly remain silent but I don't!? And then there are times that I think others should remain silent & they speak their mind for all to hear...one thing that has started to catch my attention is the amount of people that say "so & so is weird, or different or special, or just flat out 'somethings wrong with him/her" and yes I Have said these things. But I'm starting to realize That one day, if not already, someone will say that about Ty. Now I don't think that these are words That are always meant to be harmful. But like anything, if said at the wrong time it can strike a nerve. Which makes me wonder how many times have I talked about a child or an adult that had autism, or maybe they just had some sensory issues that made them seem to be odd to the public eye? Well my eyes are wide open now...that was somebody's child. Before Ty I wouldn't know how to pic up on the difference between sensory needs that need to be met & a disorder (which more than likely go hand and hand most of the time, but I'm new at this so don't take my word on that). So now when I look at children who the public would call different I don't see a lable but I do see a need. And why is that so different from the rest of the world? Everyone has needs, some might not be able to express theirs as well as others but is it really enough to be considered an out cast? Besides we are called to love & what better way to show this world we are different than to love those that don't fit this mold we create in our minds? Whose to say that Ty isn't the normal one and the rest of us are the odd balls? ;)
I don't know if this makes much since but I hope you understand what I'm trying to say... Love to you all & thanks for reading!

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Autism is a challenge not a tragedy

I was researching some silly shirts & autism awareness sites when I came across a blog of an autistic adult ... Here's an excerpt about how we should view autism:

"But this is where awareness campaigns come in. Rather than using them to explain to people how horrible it is to have a child with autism, why don't we use them to explain to people what autism is like, how we live and how we have fun, how we solve problems, how we interact? Why not show people that autism is not a tragedy simply by giving them a realistic picture of what autism is like--the good, the bad, the everyday people who, like any human being, have problems but yet have the potential for a happy, worthwhile life?

Yes, autism can cause problems. It can be difficult sometimes. Things take longer to learn; things take longer to do; maybe we need more help than most people need. But if we can just explain to the everyday people who have grown up with cultural prejudice that isn't even their fault--if we can induce them to challenge the idea that disability is naturally, obviously tragic--then we'll have won a great Victory"
http://chaoticidealism.livejournal.com/89173.html#cutid1

Wow... How true it is that we are so selfish to think that any disability reduces someone's value... Yes I know that everyone will say "I don't think that" but even having pity for someone with a disability(any disability)bc their life isn't like yours, or thinking of all the "normal/typical" things that he/she might not experience is the same to me. Yes, life will be different for anyone with a disability & different for the family too but it doesn't mean it's worse.
I'm not saying I'm perfect & that I've never thought - "once we get passed this, then we can_____"... But maybe I need to be more focussed on living life like Ty wants to live it...yes I am going to continue his treatments & therapy but maybe my goals should focus more on what he would want instead of what I want or what's "normal" I mean let's face it - I'm not normal ;)
who said that God's plan for Ty is limited to a "recovery" from autism...maybe God's plan for Ty is exactly that - to experience this world in a way most of us can't - full of life, love, easy to forgive & no regrets...fearless! To soak up every aspect of everything we take for granted...Ty likes to put rocks in his mouth - he never eats them but just gets his tongue on it and then puts it down - I just assume that a rock isn't for eating, but Ty will test each one to make sure...maybe he's on to something...maybe we should admire the details of this world...right down to the taste of a rock?!

Thanks for reading....if you get a chance to read that other blog it's really good & has changed my view on things...