So true, scarecrow....sadly, S O T R U E....... If only they had brains enough to know they needed to shut up and educate themselves!
Monday, November 7, 2011
Sunday, November 6, 2011
The Epidemic of Ignorance
Recently I posted a study showing evidence that no "autism epidemic" exist on another blog and was basically told to shove it. I guess some people would rather believe BS than learn the truth. Maybe it makes them feel better about how they pity themselves and their lives - to believe that some "tragic disease" is the cause for their feelings and that they have a legitimate reason to feel, act, behave, etc., the way they do because they have an autistic kid and they haven't dealt with their OWN issues. Get therapy, take a pill, get over it!
I'm so tired of hearing fellow autism parents spread this BS tragic message and behaving either like they are super heroes because they "put up with " and take care of their autistic children, or like martyrs. Get over yourself... How about treating your child like a freaking human being and stop doing your whole "woe is me" act. If you have a problem with your child being autistic, then YOU have a problem. It isn't because of autism, it's because you have issues to deal with. So, deal with them and move on...otherwise neither you, your child nor your family will ever have a happy life.
In the meantime, keep your ignorance to yourself. Spreading the ignorance isn't doing your child, my child or the autistic community any favors. If anything, you are fighting against your child and other autistics.
I'm so tired of hearing fellow autism parents spread this BS tragic message and behaving either like they are super heroes because they "put up with " and take care of their autistic children, or like martyrs. Get over yourself... How about treating your child like a freaking human being and stop doing your whole "woe is me" act. If you have a problem with your child being autistic, then YOU have a problem. It isn't because of autism, it's because you have issues to deal with. So, deal with them and move on...otherwise neither you, your child nor your family will ever have a happy life.
In the meantime, keep your ignorance to yourself. Spreading the ignorance isn't doing your child, my child or the autistic community any favors. If anything, you are fighting against your child and other autistics.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Part of the Gift
Thought I'd take a moment to explain the name of my blog - Part of the Gift. The name came from a quote I happen to like from a book geared towards of parents of autistic children.
When my son was going through the diagnostic process back in '07 and '08, I was seeking information and found one depressing, hateful, spite-filled parent blog after another. I absolutely believe it was because of this that I had my own bout with depression during that time, because EVERYTHING I read about autism or parenting an autistic child told me that we would live tragic, hopeless, lonely lives. They told me to expect that I would never have a "real" relationship with my child. It was horrible. Because of that experience, I decided that I wanted to create a blog that shared the real story. Not a woe-is-me, I'm-a-hero-cause-I-take-care-of-my-kid, martyr-style blog. I can't STAND that shit! No, I want to be real. No bullshit, just real. So, what's the real story? Parenting an autistic kid is honestly no different than parenting a non-autistic kid. Seriously. I have one of each, and I parent them the same. Yes, there are sometimes different ways I communicate with my son depending on the situation, and sometimes I have to handle things a little differently. But, is it 1000% more stressful? Nope. Sure, there may be situations that stress me out, but 100% of the time it's because of something society/someone does towards my son that pisses me off...not him or autism. To put it bluntly, it is society that is f'd up, not my kid...though society seems to think that the opposite is true. We don't need to cure autistics, we need to cure society of their close-minded prejudicial ways.
OK, I'll step of my soap box now. Just wanted to give a little explanation. :-)
"...my son is not a child with an affliction but a child with autism. ..autism is part of the gift, not the part of the gift that got damaged." - Thomas CannonThe only issue I have with the quote is that, the way it is worded, it can seem like the author is saying that autism is a part of someone - like it could be removed. However, in my mind, it is saying "my son himself is a gift, and autism is included as part of that gift, not a 'damaged part' of my son that, if removed, would make him more of a gift". Does that make sense? Autism is a way of being, experiencing, etc., so it is thoroughly woven through every experience. I consider it part of his gift - just as I do his sweet personality, sense of humor and loving soul.
When my son was going through the diagnostic process back in '07 and '08, I was seeking information and found one depressing, hateful, spite-filled parent blog after another. I absolutely believe it was because of this that I had my own bout with depression during that time, because EVERYTHING I read about autism or parenting an autistic child told me that we would live tragic, hopeless, lonely lives. They told me to expect that I would never have a "real" relationship with my child. It was horrible. Because of that experience, I decided that I wanted to create a blog that shared the real story. Not a woe-is-me, I'm-a-hero-cause-I-take-care-of-my-kid, martyr-style blog. I can't STAND that shit! No, I want to be real. No bullshit, just real. So, what's the real story? Parenting an autistic kid is honestly no different than parenting a non-autistic kid. Seriously. I have one of each, and I parent them the same. Yes, there are sometimes different ways I communicate with my son depending on the situation, and sometimes I have to handle things a little differently. But, is it 1000% more stressful? Nope. Sure, there may be situations that stress me out, but 100% of the time it's because of something society/someone does towards my son that pisses me off...not him or autism. To put it bluntly, it is society that is f'd up, not my kid...though society seems to think that the opposite is true. We don't need to cure autistics, we need to cure society of their close-minded prejudicial ways.
OK, I'll step of my soap box now. Just wanted to give a little explanation. :-)
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Bedtime I Love You's
Every night as I'm laying in bed next to The Boy (he needs his momma with him until he falls asleep - yes he's a momma's boy LOL), his little hand holds mine and he says, in the sweetest voice you'll ever hear, "I love you" about 15-20 times.
And you'll never, ever, ever, ever, ever hear me complain about that.
Ever.
Sweet dreams :-)
And you'll never, ever, ever, ever, ever hear me complain about that.
Ever.
Sweet dreams :-)
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Where's my F'n Chocolate?!?!?!
OK...day 10 of the new healthy lifestyle (aka, punishment). I'm getting to that point in the month when a woman might want some chocolate, ya know? At first you just kinda think "Hmmm, chocolate does sound yummy. Could totally go for some chocolate. Don't NEED it, but it'd be cool." Well, that was me two days ago. Today, I don't just want the chocolate, I F'N NEED IT! OH MY GAWWWWWD! I keep looking at my calorie count telling myself I don't NEED it, but my womanness is saying "the hell if you don't!!!!" Grrrrr. I have those Weight Watchers desserts, which are quite tasty, but they're like thisbig. My chocolate craving is
T H I S B I G!!!!!!
Trying to control the craving. To help you fully understand, below is a little illustration of the situation....
T H I S B I G!!!!!!
Trying to control the craving. To help you fully understand, below is a little illustration of the situation....
 |
| See how normal I look in the first pic? Happy, content. Then, when denied my chocolate, I get ugly...start talking in different languages, head spins, grow claws, growl...not pretty. |
So, trying to get through my ugly today...it's gonna be a LOOOOONG day.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Open Up and Say "AAAAAAAAAHHHH"
So, here I am.
Did a big deal thing today: went to the doctor. I know, what is so special about that? Well, I'm a big freakin' wuss when it comes to doctors. Like horrible. Think it all goes back to my mom being sent straight from her doctor's office to the ICU for a week due to high blood pressure. Yep, apparently scarred me for life and made me the poster child for white-coat syndrome. My biggest phobia is the blood pressure cuff. Just seeing it, hearing the air wooshing in as the doctor squeezes the little bulb, feeling the tightness around my arm...it's enough to cause full-on panic. But today I did it. And no surprise I have high blood pressure (who'd of thunk a woman who is 5'2", 276 lbs. would have high blood pressure???? Shocking, I know!). She's also upping my dosage of zoloft to see if that helps my anxiety, but she thinks I may be bipolar (FML). So she might be referring me to a psychiatrist for further evaluation/treatment. Well, I guess the good side is, when I say I'm crazy, I ain't lying, right?
So since my appointment I have been exhausted. Oh yeah, did I mention it took 1/2 a xanax just to get me through the appointment? Yeah, it did. So here I am with two high-energy, cabin-fever feeling kids who want me to entertain them like rightnow (those words fused together for added emphasis). Yay me! Though they have been able to entertain themselves pretty well this afternoon...and believe me, mommy says thank you! The Boy has a serious thing for Thomas the Tank Engine and actually seems to be passing a bit of that to The Girl. They've been playing trains for hours. And here I am, blogging. I need to seriously re-evaluate my relaxation techniques ;-)
Sadly, even with the xanax, I can't shake worries. Worries about school starting and how things will go for The Boy. Hoping his teacher is better than the ass clown he had last year (that's another post!). Worried about money...My hubby is finally getting back to pre-tsunami hours (his company makes parts for Honda), so bank account is looking a bit better, but with all these medical things going on...ching, ching, ching. The Girl takes dance (been dancing for 6 years) and last night was registration time. It's $99 for membership, then $57/month for dance. Oh, then there's $50 for new jazz and ballet shoes, and $16 for new leotard. Haven't even got new tights yet. But, I'd seriously have a bake sale, lemonade stand, you name it, so that girl could dance. It's not that competitive shit like on that crazy show Dance Moms, she just loves doing it. It's her outlet. I wouldn't let anything keep her from having it.
The money kept right on shooting out today for doctor appointment ($20) and medications ($23). The Boy just started on zoloft for his anxiety, but thankfully that's covered 100% by insurance and medicaid. I think we're done with the massive money spending - for now. We've widdled down our savings, though, and that makes me nervous. I like having a "plan B", ya know?
All things considered though, I feel good. Not euphoric, not fantastic, but good. Just trying to float along with the tide..now if I only had a floating lounger and a drink with an umbrella in it...
Did a big deal thing today: went to the doctor. I know, what is so special about that? Well, I'm a big freakin' wuss when it comes to doctors. Like horrible. Think it all goes back to my mom being sent straight from her doctor's office to the ICU for a week due to high blood pressure. Yep, apparently scarred me for life and made me the poster child for white-coat syndrome. My biggest phobia is the blood pressure cuff. Just seeing it, hearing the air wooshing in as the doctor squeezes the little bulb, feeling the tightness around my arm...it's enough to cause full-on panic. But today I did it. And no surprise I have high blood pressure (who'd of thunk a woman who is 5'2", 276 lbs. would have high blood pressure???? Shocking, I know!). She's also upping my dosage of zoloft to see if that helps my anxiety, but she thinks I may be bipolar (FML). So she might be referring me to a psychiatrist for further evaluation/treatment. Well, I guess the good side is, when I say I'm crazy, I ain't lying, right?
So since my appointment I have been exhausted. Oh yeah, did I mention it took 1/2 a xanax just to get me through the appointment? Yeah, it did. So here I am with two high-energy, cabin-fever feeling kids who want me to entertain them like rightnow (those words fused together for added emphasis). Yay me! Though they have been able to entertain themselves pretty well this afternoon...and believe me, mommy says thank you! The Boy has a serious thing for Thomas the Tank Engine and actually seems to be passing a bit of that to The Girl. They've been playing trains for hours. And here I am, blogging. I need to seriously re-evaluate my relaxation techniques ;-)
Sadly, even with the xanax, I can't shake worries. Worries about school starting and how things will go for The Boy. Hoping his teacher is better than the ass clown he had last year (that's another post!). Worried about money...My hubby is finally getting back to pre-tsunami hours (his company makes parts for Honda), so bank account is looking a bit better, but with all these medical things going on...ching, ching, ching. The Girl takes dance (been dancing for 6 years) and last night was registration time. It's $99 for membership, then $57/month for dance. Oh, then there's $50 for new jazz and ballet shoes, and $16 for new leotard. Haven't even got new tights yet. But, I'd seriously have a bake sale, lemonade stand, you name it, so that girl could dance. It's not that competitive shit like on that crazy show Dance Moms, she just loves doing it. It's her outlet. I wouldn't let anything keep her from having it.
The money kept right on shooting out today for doctor appointment ($20) and medications ($23). The Boy just started on zoloft for his anxiety, but thankfully that's covered 100% by insurance and medicaid. I think we're done with the massive money spending - for now. We've widdled down our savings, though, and that makes me nervous. I like having a "plan B", ya know?
All things considered though, I feel good. Not euphoric, not fantastic, but good. Just trying to float along with the tide..now if I only had a floating lounger and a drink with an umbrella in it...
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