Beautiful Minds

I just finished watching “Night of Too Many Stars: America Unites for Autism Programs”. As you know, one of my loves is Autistic and his BEAUTIFUL MIND is always working trying to understand why he struggles trying to fit in, why he is not be accepted, and his own personal struggles of what he is supposed to be and why he is not like everyone else in “certain” aspects. Everyone tries to fit in until they realize it is more fun when they do not… LOL. My son’s motto BEING NORMAL IS BORING.

I watched the fundraiser and fully understood every family’s pain of what is going to happen to our children as they become adults. Who will help them when we, the parents and families,  no longer can. It is tough when even your family doesn’t understand your child or thinks there is nothing special about them… deem them rude or undisciplined. Now we have to worry about the police and society swallowing them up whole without a second look or throwing them away because they process information differently or seem useless. Our Children are talented. Our children are brilliant. Our children add more value if the time is taken to just understand them. Our children are special and worthy of love, understanding, and opportunity. They can function in this society if this society looks around and sees that none of us are cloned to fit in… Some of us stand out more than others and that gives us an advantage in this life to make a difference.

I believe that when we can see in a Different Light, not because we live life but because we all know that life is hard enough already; We will be able to band together like a community should and help each other out.

When you have a diagnosis, nowadays, you become so isolated and LONELY.  I really admire the celebrities that took the time out to shed light on real issues: the new autistic adults that age out of programs and what is happening with the growing population of autistic children and adults.

The finale had a choir that they sang I’LL RISE UP... I cried through the entire song. I heard the song before and performed by many… but hearing these children/adults sing and do the little bit of choreography, touched me because I understand and understood the struggle.  The lyrics are

You’re broken down and tired
Of living life on a merry go round
And you can’t find the fighter
But I see it in you so we gonna walk it out
And move mountains
We gonna walk it out
And move mountains

We stand by our children, we fight beside them and for them. Even when we have no fight left We Rise up and fight another day, minute, and second. We fight with frustration and disappointment, not for just our autistic children, but the entire household… the siblings that just needs attention for once, the husband that just wants to relate to their child without a tantrum, the mother who needs a moment, but knows that it is impossible to find a sitter that will understand their child’s needs and wants, and the family members that visit and have nothing but advise and do not truly understand the problems that are faced daily.

Take the time and learn more about the BEAUTIFUL MINDS that exists in your community. Do not be so quick to judge. LOVE them… learn to open the community to them and for them.

Donate to your local autism centers or programs… If you don’t know of any donated to PAAC’s Passionate Parents.