We Can’t Be Scared Anymore
I remember years ago, when my son was first diagnosed with autism, a mother of a child with needs saying to me…
‘I have five children in total, one with autism. My husband works nights and weekends and I need to be able to go to the grocery store with my kids. I don’t have a choice.’
I remember being so frustrated with her, me, life, everything.
Our world was shrinking quickly. The places we could actually go dwindling.
My son was unable to sit. Or wait. He couldn’t handle noises or lines. Bright lights, smells, all set him off.
Leaving the house brought super challenging meltdowns. Unsafe behavior. Worry. Anxiety. Fear.
By age five we could only go to grandmas house.
That ladies words have stuck with me. She had no choice. She had to make it work.
Flash forward. I now have three boys and a baby girl due in two weeks.
My middle son plays hockey. And I can’t miss it. I can’t watch him score goals in videos from my husband.
Tonight, Cooper, went to his first hockey game. He sat for two whole 20 minute periods.
He wiggled and rolled. He watched his iPad and had snacks and teased me by pretending to drop his iPad off the bleachers. He loves teasing me.
He sat in every row. And stretched out in the aisles.
He also waved a lot and never missed an opportunity to clap. He had a wonderful time. He truly enjoyed the game.
He even pointed to the hockey rink and his chest to inform me that he wants to play hockey.
We’ve reached this point where we can’t be scared anymore. We have to be brave and believe that people will show us kindness and grace.
Because Cooper needs to experience the world. And the world needs to experience him.
It wasn’t perfect, but heck, what is these days. Cooper went to his first ever hockey game.
We finished the last few minutes of the game in our vehicle and ever few minutes Cooper pointed to the rink and said…’SS-AH-ER.’
Which is his brother’s name.
See, we can’t leave him. Cooper would never allow it.
Baby steps. Sometimes we walk. Sometimes we crawl. But we keep moving.
And that’s all we can ask of ourselves.
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.
