This post is a bit of a disclaimer for my blog.
I can tell you what it’s like to live with chronic pain, anxiety, and depression. I can tell you what it is like being a mother to a child who has Autism. But I cannot tell you what it is like to live in a body of a person that has Autism.
There is a movement that we need to hear from “Own Voices”. The idea is that we need to not just hear from parents or professionals about how a disability affects someone’s life or how it feels living with a disability. The movement also extends to race and other “descriptive boxes” as well.
Knowing this, I feel it’s important to note that I am a parent of a child with Autism. I can tell you what my experiences are trying to be a parent of a child with Autism and a host of other medical diagnoses. But I can’t speak for him. He is going to have to learn to do that himself.
We need to promote, enable and help those whose lives are different and marginalized to tell their stories. Because they are the most important piece of the story. My son isn’t ready to share his story, I hope one day he will so that others can understand what life is like for him, how he sees the world, and most importantly who he is and not just what his diagnosis is.
An Ordinary Mom's Musings
Wherein I talk about Disabilities, Faith, and Random Musings
Thank you for telling your stories! #GlobalBlogging
Thank you for reading them!
He is so cute! Thanks for sharing with us at #LiveLifeWell.
Thank you.
You have an adorable son! 🙂
Thank you!
Thank you.
That’s why my son speaks at conventions, workshops and once a year his school have an Autism Awareness workshop. He has spoken for two years now and every year he enjoys telling people who he is and what his Autism is about. It really helps others develop more of an understanding and compassion for those on the spectrum. #MixitUp
That is AWESOME! My son I don’t think is to that point yet. (He’s 12.) The world needs more people like your son speaking up and sharing their experiences.
I find it fascinating hearing from those who have learning difficulties and the way they see the world compared to me. It opens your eyes and I think it makes you think about what we take for granted.
Thank you for sharing this with us at #TriumphantTales. I hope to see you back next week.
Thank you. I feel this way about anyone who’s experiences are different from mine. I learn so much!
Your son is beautiful. I totally find it so hard to find the balance between speaking up for him and speaking for him whilst trying to encourage him to do these things for himself as I know he will have toi in the future. Such a hard balance. It’s easy to talk about things and struggles from our own persepctives isn’t it? But we cannot and never will be able to fully know what it is like for our children 🙁
#mixitup
I think you describe the struggle beautifully.
Is that you son in the photo with his dog? He’s adorable!! I hope he will be able to tell his story one day.
He is my boy. Thank you for your kind words.
As mum to an autistic son I do worry about the burden of responsibility I have to get things right, for him and for others. I think there is room for parents of autistic children and for actually autistic people to share their experiences. Everyone is entitled to use their voice.
Agreed.
Thank you for sharing this. Yes, it is so important for people to tell their own stories. We can tell what it’s like to help or be the parent or friend of…. but we can’t tell what it’s like to experience what we have not experienced ourselves. Blessings to you! I’m your neighbor at the #LMMLinkup.
Thank you.
Thank you for sharing and for linking up with us @LiveLifeWell!
Blessings,
Amy