Invisible Threads

Along the journey as a special need mother, we carry so much baggage. From the moment of diagnosis for our child; we immediately pack on the enormous amount of luggage full of worries, expectations, and thoughts of doubt.

We see everything that is needed to be done and we begin to think of how we will accomplish it all. We riddle ourselves with self-doubt and become overwhelmed at the thought of another task to be added to our overrun schedules.

But somewhere along the way of our journey with our child, we lose something. Maybe it is a long-time friendship (or a few), maybe certain family members are distancing themselves as they just do not understand, or maybe you shut yourself away from everyone feeling that no one will ever understand you and your situation.

Oh, how wrong you are. I know this because this was my train of thought over a year ago. I lost friends after the diagnoses of Autism for my three sons, some family members distanced themselves and I gave up on friendships and walked away from the world that I knew. I seriously believed I would never have another friend who would utterly understand what I was going through.

June 2019 was a time of trying to reenter the world and find a new place for myself. I began blogging about my family’s journey with Autism and had been following one amazing Mom who was raising a boy with Severe Nonverbal Autism (like my youngest), and I clung to her words and videos. I decided to be brave and share one of my written pieces with the group this amazing Mom started to bring more parents of special needs kiddos. I was terrified of what others would say or think of me.

I had a message later that day after posting my written piece from a mother who I will call S. She sent me a friend request and an oh so kind message about how she too had a blog and shared her family’s journey with Autism. We started talking and instantly understood each other.

Fast forward to today (1 ½ years later) and she has become so much more than my friend, she is my sister. We chat on a regular basis and are always there for each other to lift one another up.

Friendships such as these are lifelines. They give you hope in a moment where you feel overwhelmed and alone. Each beautiful friendship I have made since June 2019, has blossomed into such blessings. I thank God every day for each single one of these ladies, my sisters.

You can and will have friends again. You will find your people, your tribe, your lifeline. You are worthy! You are amazing! You deserve it! Regardless of how you may feel in this moment, you are loved.

Imagine this with me, invisible threads in the sky, millions of them all going in different directions. Some are stretched just around the corner and others you lose sight of as they are halfway around the world.

These threads are attached to a friend, a sister. Now look down at your hands, there are threads attached to your fingers and those threads are being held by your lifeline and person who understands you and what you are amid.

Now imagine that thread gently squeezing your hand in a moment of need. That right there, that is your friend saying I am here, and I understand.

You see, finding that person who understands, I mean really understands your daily life is possible. Maybe it is another special need mother halfway around the world or right down the road. Maybe that friend is your significant other or a family member.

The right friend is out there for you, you just must put yourself out there to find them, so they can find you. See, they need you too! They are searching for you right now.

Reach out your hand, open your heart, have faith that you will find a true friend that will embrace you and understand your life. As a special needs mother, I know how hard it can be to do that.

I know how hard it is trying to explain my daily life to those on the outside of our world. But I also know what it is like embracing beautiful souls who understand my life and my family.

We fight so hard every day for our children. We give our all to see them happy and successful. But we need to save some of that fight and drive for our lives too. Do not lose sight of yourself. Do not forget that you need a life outside of being that champion for your little one.

You are so deserving of a life outside of the world we build and walk inside with our beautiful child. But you need to be yourself again.

So, go find that invisible thread that is leading you to your friend who is waiting to embrace you for they too are waiting to be embraced by you.

“The greatest thing that we can do is to help somebody know that they’re loved and capable of loving.” – Mr. Rogers

Written by, Sarah Elizabeth Chapman

Sarah Elizabeth Chapman is a stay at home mom and Full time student working on her double major in Bachelors in Communication Science and Disorders & her Masters in Speech Language Pathology. She has been married for 13 years to her college sweetheart Steven and have 3 boys, Stevie, Maycen, and Sawyer who were all diagnosed being on the Autism Spectrum. She plans on after obtaining her degrees pursuing to open an all inclusive Early Intervention Center in the rural area she lives in East Tennessee. She is the author to Sawyer’s Voice and enjoys sharing her family’s journey over the last few years since the diagnoses. She hopes to make a big splash in to world to help spread more awareness for Autism.

Interested in writing for Finding Cooper’s Voice? LEARN MORE

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, subscribe for exclusive videos, and subscribe to our newsletter.