A Magical Place
When my son was diagnosed with autism at age three, I felt like I couldn’t reach him. I felt like he had this world, a secret one that I couldn’t enter.
Some days I even felt like I would lose him to it. As if I was fighting to keep him here with me.
I was scared of his world. It confused me. It worried me. Some days I felt like I should try and save him from it.
He would laugh and cry and feel things that I couldn’t see or understand. Those were hard years.
As he’s gotten older, and I’ve became the mom he needed me to be, I’ve learned that I was always welcome in his world. I just had to enter into it with an open mind and be willing to learn and see and feel differently.
I had to be patient and believe in him.
I had to let him show me the way. And that meant letting go of what I thought and knew and letting him take the lead in some ways.
This afternoon at the park while the other two boys dug holes and climbed slides, Cooper took me on an adventure.
He showed me a scene from Dora where she hunts for whales, visits a snow covered mountain, and finally finds the penguins.
Whales. Mountains. Penguins. Snow. Cold. His world today is the Antarctic.
So here we are. Whale watching at a man made pond. Waiting patiently for one to emerge. He seems confident that one will show up.
After we will find a mountain. Then penguins. I may not see them. Or the magic. But he will. And I will be next to him the whole time.
Join their world moms and dads and grandparents and siblings. Close your eyes and jump right in. Ooh and aah. Gasp and point. Be amazed at the wonder of your child’s joy.
The journey may be scary and lonely at times. Even confusing. But once you get there, to that magical place, it will be beautiful. I promise.
Let them show you the way.
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.
