I could give you the same
old medical diagnosis that I have heard and read
so many times; but I won’t. Instead, I’d
like to tell you what autism is to me, a Mother.
Autism is knowing deep down inside of you that something
is different about your child, at a very early age.
It’s the fear of not knowing what that difference
is and the frustration that no one else can see
it.
Autism and the special angels that it affects can
teach a person, a family, a community, and even
the world so much about people, life, and humanity.
In its own special way, autism is a gift.
Parents of autistic children are forced to take
matters into their own hands. They are forced to
study, learn, and speak out for their children.
They are forced to become specialists in the fields
of autism and humanity.
Autism is acceptance of an individual for the special
person that they are and will become. It’s
truly unconditional love.
Autism teaches us to help others at all costs. It
shows us how to improve on their lives and our own
lives without invasion and judgement. It helps us
to understand that changing the person is not the
goal of our endeavors. Autism also teaches us to
find both the beauty and the humor in the “quirky”
little behaviors that we all have.
When I think of my youngest son (now 2 years old),
I fear for him and I pray that I can help him. My
biggest fear is not that he’ll fail at anything
he does, but rather that he’ll be lonely in
life. The other stuff just doesn’t seem to
matter.
My goal is to ensure his happiness and at the same
time, never change who he is. I love the amazing
and “quirky” little person that he is.
He is so strong, loving, and funny all at the same
time.
I only want to make his life and his brothers’
life as happy and healthy as possible.
Patricia Flanagan
Spring 2001
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