Autism Awareness Month 2015

Dear Lizzybug,

You are a smart and active 6 year old. You love to sing and dance. You love to play with your cousins. You love jumping on the trampoline. I could go on and on about the things that you love. You're just like any other 6 year old...except that you have autism. 

Most of the time people can not see that you have autism. They usually see an over active girl. Those outside our family fail to see the endless hours of therapy and the shed tears. They do not see how far you have come. They only see a bright active 6 year old girl. It is hard for me, sometimes, to hear people say ,"If you hadn't told me, I would not have known." On one hand, I celebrate that our therapies work, but on the other hand I weep internally that they do not see the struggle we face daily. 

My sweet bug, I fear the day when you realize that you have autism. I try to use it in our every day language, so that one day it is not a earth shattering shock. I do not want you to see your disability as a disability. I want you to see a gift. You see the world differently than I, and because of your autism you have known great challenges. This gift will give you the power to make a difference.

By now, you know that your mother is an activist at heart. As a young child, I discovered CFCs were destroying our ozone. I refused to use aerosol cans or Styrofoam plates. I put up little signs in our yard. From then on, if I discovered a cause that I was passionate for I had to be vocal. I urge you to always be vocal about your passions. Never ever let an opposing opinion defeat you. Hold onto to passions, stand up for yourself and those like you. You see, my bug, you are able to speak unlike some with autism. This gives you a special power to advocate for those who can not. Hold onto that, use it, let the world know. 

This month, April, we have our blue lights up, and we let those around us know about autism. Yet, in our home every single day is Autism Awareness Day. I will do the best I can to advocate for you. I will continue to defend you and your right to education. You changed my world, Bug, and you deserve the best shot at a successful life.

All My Love,

Mommy