Awareness

Dear Addie,

And then it was April and with that comes yet another autism awareness month on our journey. A month filled with a mixed bag of emotions and thoughts on how far we’ve come and what lies ahead. Blessed for such a platform yet saddened to need it I suppose?

Now don't get me wrong its not a sadness for you, no way - no how, just a sadness to need a month for awareness or acceptance rather for who you are. For who WE are as a family.

We get this one month to share a glimpse with the world yet hold a ticket to a lifelong journey of advocacy for patience, kindness, love, and inclusivity for not just you but a whole community just like you.

So at 10 years old with severe autism what would I want people to know?

You're funny and your smile is contagious.

You love ice cream like most kids. Ok… more than most kids.

You also like eating raw onions as if they were apples. True story. You are incredibly strong! Like herculean strong. You love the ocean. It gives you so much sensory feedback and joy. You don’t like leaving the ocean (see strength comment above… leaving gets ugly sometimes.)

You like to play.

You can communicate, but it might not always be with words. We have our fair share of struggles and some days are hard. Like really hard.

We, as your parents, worry about the future probably far more than most. There's diapers, therapy and doctors...and a family. A dream team. That no matter our challenges we will forever be in this together, leading with love always and supporting you in all your endeavors.

Addie I truly believe that you have made each one of us in this family a better person and we thank you for that. So here we are, April, another month dedicated to our special community. Shine on baby girl. Shine on. You've got lots to share with this world.

Love, Mom