By Melody Latimer; originally posted on the AS Parenting website.
When I speak of Autism, please know I love your support and understanding.
When I speak of my Autistic children, please know I understand them very well because I’ve been diagnosed myself.
When I speak of the current state of things, please know I am happy with my life and my children, but know there’s already room for improvement.
I love that you are interested in what is going on in my life. It’s been a long time since many of us have spoken. Our lives diverged and this little thing we call the internet has connected them once again. It seems we now have something in common. You may teach in a Special Education classroom. You may be a Speech, Occupational or Physical Therapist. Maybe you are just in education. Whatever it is, it’s amazing to see how our worlds collide once again. But this time, we are not peers or relatives, we are on opposite sides of the same quest. To make life for those with Special Needs fulfilling, independent and happy.
This doesn’t mean we’re fighting against each other.
It means we have two unique perspectives.
Would you like to reconnect?
I know I can always use more friends, but what I know more is my children need more allies. More people who understand and accept them as they are. You once accepted me for who I was. Many of you even helped build me up. You supported me through school with your friendship and kindness and faith in me. You supported me when I had my ups and downs and I became the person I am today because you were around.
I’m here if you have any questions.