Not in the Same Boat
18 Apr 2011 Leave a Comment
in Autism, Inspiration Tags: Asperger syndrome, Autism, Behavior management, Child, parenting
I am no longer sad.
I am no longer jealous.
You just have to know,
that my reality is not yours.
These are the thoughts that summarize the feelings I have when I am with my friends who have a child the same age as LB. I listen to their discussions and feel as though I’m peering in from the outside.
Their children are reaching an age they can be left alone for brief periods of time. We are lucky if LB can go into the bathroom alone, or even to her bedroom to get a book without getting scared of noises.
Sleep-away camps, riding a bicycle, playdates that extend far beyond a few hours, the list goes on. All situations that are not our reality.
Maybe someday. But not now.
And that is ok. I take pride in the fact that LB is learning to express her feelings. I take pride in that she is attempting to learn self-control. She is advanced in math and remembers details that most forget. And even when we don’t think she is listening, she is.
That is my reality.
So you see, we are not in the same boat.
Don’t feel bad.
Don’t pity.
There are moments we all recognize that our child is not the same as another. Our situations change, challenges arise and we don’t feel as connected.
But then, there will be a similarity that unites us.
And once again, we are in the boat together.
