The Hugest Breakthrough
When your autistic seven year old, who has never once asked you to go to a store to buy something, asks you to go to the store to buy 10 Pokémon cards…you go. First time ever he has asked to go to a store yet alone to buy something. He has no concept of objects, buying things or even money. He’s a pretty simple kid. He knows no greed.
Tonight, after finding his brothers cards, he asked us for 10 cards of his own. He has no idea what they are used for. Or that it’s a game. He just wants them because his younger brother has them. And they are pretty cool to line up. Prior to starting medical cannabis he never noticed things like Pokémon cards.
We told him we’d have to leave the house and go to a store. For the past seven years he has always said NO to stores. He has been to one store in the last three years. Tonight he didn’t say no. He put both hands in the air to show us he wanted ten. And then he found his shoes.
Age seven and this is his first time liking something even remotely like a toy or game. Awareness is awesome. We even made it through the store with him staying in the cart and no meltdowns too.
I’m so proud of him. And amazed as well. These simple moments are the ones we prayed and hoped for.
Here he is. Hours later.
He will love these cards until there is nothing left of them. He won’t be onto a new thing tomorrow or even next week like a typical kid. He will sleep with them every night. He will carry them downstairs in the morning. He will share them with me every day.
They will be worn and ripped and he will still love them. He will treasure them until there is nothing left. I will eventually ask him if he wants something else or even more and he will most likely say no.
He’s that sweet. That simple. That innocent. We can learn so much if we just pay attention…
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Finding Cooper’s Voice is a safe, humorous, caring and honest place where you can celebrate the unique challenges of parenting a special needs child. Because you’re never alone in the struggles you face. And once you find your people, your allies, your village….all the challenges and struggles will seem just a little bit easier. Welcome to our journey. You can also follow us on Facebook and subscribe to our newsletter.
