This afternoon my husband, Ralph, and I went to a picnic sponsored by a local group that advocates for disabled children. Although made up mostly of parents, it is starting to broaden its horizons to include other members of the community.
The reason why we were invited is because the founder of the group, a woman with an autistic son who is 16, asked me to serve on the organization's board of directors. I've never served on a board of directors before, and I was honored to be asked. This energetic and accomplished woman also has four (!) daughters.
I wanted Ralph to be there too as a role model for children who use wheelchairs. We did meet a couple with a very young son who can walk a little with braces on his legs but who also has a manual wheelchair. The little guy cannot speak, but he is going to a great school and he is learning.
He had a big smile and an even bigger hug for everyone there, friends and strangers alike.
We met a man who has an autistic son and has been a stay-at-home dad for four years. His son is about to go into fourth grade. But in addition to the disability, the family is facing financial difficulties. A lead paint abatement for their house cost $74,000, for starters. My mouth dropped open as he told us about it.
There were other parents with autistic children there who we didn't meet, but we observed. What a constant struggle their lives must be. Hard to fathom if you haven't walked in their shoes.
Parents like the ones we met today face overwhelming circumstances on a daily basis, but they are doing what they need to do and they are overcoming.
I give them a lot of credit.
5 comments:
my friend nancy at the goat rodeo has an autistic boy, plus three other boys. that is one good mom there!
smiles, bee
I knew you find a way to pull yourself out of the funk and you really did find a great way. One of the reasons I love volunteering in the Moose Organization is that it brings so many people together. My favorite motto is everyone is different and that's why there are 31 flavors of ice cream. This group you are now associated with will bring out the best in you. It's really tough to feel sorry for yourself when you see others in much more dire circumstances. I commend and Ralph for being such great role models.
Bee- yes, she truly is
Moosie - thanks for your support. I like your ice cream motto
;-)
Patti, obviously you guys have Basin Robbins 31 flavors ice cream there too. I used that expression to someone in Iowa and she looked at me like I was speaking a foreign language.
well that's Iowa for you
;-)
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