7 Hills Church Florence Ky (Short Story) - 4/29/2023 12:06:53 PM
As a disabled person for 60 years, having lived my first 20 years as a young man who might be a great leader because of my schooling and values. That changed when I turned 20 and was partially paralyzed. My brain was unaffected, but others perception of me changed quite drastically. Like your son, I was often dismissed and not included, simply because of a miss conception of my ability. I thrived in spite of all the rejection, but your son is much more vulnerable because his problem is mental and not just physical like mine.
While your article in the Stories section here is long, it is heartfelt and true to your notes or your memory. I have found that churches hide within their members the most bigoted and self-serving people there are. Why I left the church altogether. People need to understand autism and they don't, or don't want to. Isolation is not the answer. The more one is immersed with something they don't understand, the better they understand it.
I was fortunate to find a young man, like your son, Grant Manier, he hung three of his collages in my home one day. He is famous for them and they are worth a lot of money. His devoted mother, like you, got him in a special school to improve his socialization. Making the collages occupies his overactive mind. He has come a long way socially, and now teaches others and does public speaking at art events.
So go on telling it like it its…
Ron
Getting the autism diagnosis, the early years (Short Story) - 7/14/2012 2:24:35 PM
Perseverance. YOU will always be his number one advocate! Keep on keepin on and everything else will fall in line.
Getting the autism diagnosis, the early years (Short Story) - 11/9/2009 5:24:34 PM
Thank you for this very honest and eye opening article, Melinda. I can see that God has blessed you with wisdom and inner strength. Your children sound like wonderful people :)
Getting the autism diagnosis, the early years (Short Story) - 12/20/2007 9:47:00 PM
A very difficult experience for the whole family. What you have achieved is great, I hope that the three of your children will be happy in the future.
Axilea
Getting the autism diagnosis, the early years (Short Story) - 9/16/2007 7:26:06 PM
WOW! What a brave person you are to have endured all the heartache that comes with having a child with autism, yet it brims with hope! Very well done, Melinda! :)
The narcissist (Poetry) - 4/25/2023 5:30:04 PM
You still got it! God Bless You.
