How aware are you??

Today is World Autism Day. April is Autism Awareness Month.  In my world, every day is autism day. Every month is autism awareness month. I never get away from it. I live it. Breathe it. Dream it. Sleep it. 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.  I see many people reposting pictures and posts on Facebook, and for that I am very appreciative. People are becoming aware. 17 years ago, when Jordan was diagnosed with autism, the rate per births was 1 in 10,000. When you said the word 'autism', people asked "You mean like Rain Man?". 11 years ago, when Brett was diagnosed the rate was 1 in 150. The latest statistics we are seeing say the rate is 1 in 88. Is it becoming more of an epidemic? Or are doctors just getting better at diagnosing it? There is no proven cause, and no cure. So we may never know the answer. There is such an incredibly wide range on the spectrum, and one individual is so unlike any other. My boys are a perfect example of this. They are so very different from each other, and so very different from everyone else. And their incredible differences are part of what makes them so amazing. Every day is a challenge. But guess what? Every day also brings surprises. Each day brings us heartache, but also joy. These boys are my world. They are my reason for being. They are why I get up in the morning. They have made me who I am. As I sit here spewing forth, I challenge you this...learn something about autism. Learn about some of the stereotypical behavior. Learn some of the myths. Just learn. Look at those Facebook posts, and wonder what its really like. Try to imagine living this life.  And I'll do you one better. I'll teach you personally. Please, please, please- ask questions. I will answer them. My kids are so amazing, and I want the world to know it. Local friends, come on over. Spend a day in our world. And if you're really a glutton, spend two.

I'm going to let you in on something. Words hurt. They might not hurt my kids, because they are lucky enough not to know prejudice, hate or cruelty. But they hurt me. When someone uses the word "retarded" as an insult or in a negative way, I want to punch them in the throat. My boys are both mentally retarded, and I can guarantee they are better people than most. When someone judges my kids by saying they are too old to be playing with stuffed animals, reading the books that they do, or watching cartoons and Disney movies...well, you are just ignorant. And when its a family member, well... You can kiss my ass. My kids are developmentally delayed. Brett's 14 year old body doesn't match his 6 year old brain. And if Jordan could speak, you probably wouldn't want to hear what he had to say about you. We have no room for you in our lives. And because I am a bigger person, I will silently judge you. Because I KNOW you don't want to hear what I have to say.

Today was an extremely difficult day for us, but out of respect for the family I won't go into details. But let me say this. My kids made me proud. Their behavior was outstanding. They were quiet, respectful, kind, and loving. Brett's comments were appropriate, and Jordan was tolerant of his brother. When I cried, Brett wiped away my tears, and he reminded us that we would be happy again soon. They had a very long day, and the two of them and Brett's BFF were every parents dream. It is days like today that I look at the three of them, and think...Wow. My heart hurts to even think about it. They have grown into very fine young men, and the best is yet to come. Quite simply they are amazing, and anyone would be proud to know them. But my friend and I are the luckiest of all. We get to call them ours. And I thank my lucky stars for that. Every day of my life.