Reaching Out…
One mom from Cayo sent me a video of her 9, almost 10 year old son, singing and praying. She talked about his gentle nature. Another mom made me smile talking about how her son loves the water and always swims out too far. (Yes, this absolutely reminds me of Mateo). She drives up from Dangriga each week so her son can get therapy at the Inspiration Center. She’s proud of his art work and how well he is doing.
Another mom spoke to me about how her 14 year old son is amazing with technology and really smart, but she’s worried because she can’t find a high school for him. This is not holding her and her husband back, though. They are already planning to teach their son a trade and to keep working with him. She’s even researching online to find out more about grants and projects that might be able to help.
A mother of two on the spectrum, ages 17 and 20, tells me about how after they finished primary school, she home schooled her girls on the spectrum. At San Pedro, a very proud mom, of an almost 30 year old young woman with Asperger’s, not only messaged to share her daughter’s success story, but now we’re planning a video conference so I can meet her. I’m so excited about this! This mom speaks about taking her child every summer to Miami for therapy.
Hoping for More…
I can keep sharing snippets of the happy, success stories; the struggles and fears, the challenges they face and overcome, but honestly, I’m hoping soon, some of them will find a little time and be brave enough to share their stories in their own words here on our A Parent’s Perspective Blog.
In the meantime though, what I do want to share are the common themes that I’m hearing as I make new friends and as we grow into a true support association.
1. Our children are amazing! Some days, maybe amazingly challenging or confusing – but always amazing. I know we use the phrase Different, Not Less, a lot, but it truly is so very accurate. Our children struggle to understand a world that doesn’t understand them. Most have to try to learn in a way that is not natural to them. And navigating confusing social norms and cues? They don’t easily get it, but they keep trying and trying. They do all this while still dealing with sensory issues and anxiety, maybe seizures and depression, or OCD too. Like I said before, our kids- whether 2 or 32 – are amazing.
2. Our Kiddos are also so much more than their diagnosis. Mateo is sneaky and mischievous. Another mom described her son as gentle and sensitive. One is artistic; the other a joker; one is intense and works so hard at school. One daughter is a fighter and is always pushing to do more. They are so different with really unique personalities that are so much more than simply being ‘autistic’.
3. Autism Moms rock! (I say moms here because, so far at least, it’s been the moms contacting me) I listened to your stories. I watched the videos and pictures you shared. I can tell the depth of the love you give your kiddos. I see the sacrifice – the home schooling, the research to educate yourselves, the dedication to your special child or children. You keep pushing for them. You have had a difficult road but you haven’t given up.
4. I feel like I might be tooting my own horn here, but I have to say it! There truly is a need for Autism Belize – a group to help educate, advocate, and support. Every parent I spoke to, every single one, spoke of needing more support, of a lack of understanding and awareness, and of searching for more resources. We do need each other. We do need to work together. Autism Belize is in its infancy stage and has a long way to go. We can do it, though. I know we can.
Come Together…
Today I’m headed to the YWCA to try to schedule for our first Parent’s Support Meeting. I just can’t wait to meet you all- those who have contacted me, those who have just watched the Guest Speaker videos or read the blog, and those of you who are just starting to check us out.
I’m super excited to meet with all you Rocking Autism Moms (and hoping to meet some Dedicated Dads and Grandparents too) and to hear more about your amazing kiddos. I truly believe that together we can support each other and work together towards the goal of getting more services and help in Belize.
Please, if you are interested in keeping up-to-date with our activities or if you would like to help Autism Belize in some way, please join Team Autism Belize.