If you've met one person with autism, you've met one person with autism. Meet mine here!
It has been 4 years. Four years since I sat in a room with a developmental pediatrician for hours talking about my son, showing videos, answering questions, managing his anxiety as I could tell he wanted to leave the room. I sat there praying we were wrong. Praying she would look at us and say, "it's not autism." But instead, she smiled... and told us our son was autistic. I smiled back. With a shaking hand I took her diagnosis letter, picked up my 2-year-old son, and left the office.
POV: The lady at the doctor’s office tells you to “calm down” your autistic son. I drive by this doctor’s office almost daily. I will not soon forget this day, this moment, this woman’s face. She looked at me so angry, so annoyed at my precious son who was running in place and making happy [...]
You’re headed to Kindergarten tomorrow. At 8am I’ll drop off half of my heart with people I’ve only just met. They’re qualified, they’re loving, but they aren’t your mama or your daddy.
“Only 13% of autism families surveyed take family vacations. Yet, 93% of respondents said they would be more inclined to travel if autism services were available.” (According to a study by IBCCES) Autism families let me tell you that Myrtle Beach, SC has entered the chat! I recently learned about the Champion Autism Network while [...]
I did not ease into becoming a mom. When Channing was born, I remember not wanting to leave the hospital. I was terrified to go home. I couldn’t stop crying ALL OF THE TIME and I didn’t even know why I was crying, which only made me cry more. I saw photos of friends with [...]
Being an autism mama isn't easy, but here's 10 things I've learned that have helped me navigate this journey a little easier.
April is Autism Acceptance Month and this April we are so thrilled to announce our Channing's Joy shirts are NOW AVAILABLE exclusively at http://www.vestique.com! Shirts can be purchased now through the end of April with 100% of the proceeds benefiting Autism Strong. 1 in 44. That’s how many children have an autism diagnosis. Our “Choose [...]
Shout out to Carowinds for making our lives a little easier, and for the most enjoyable experience! Special needs families: Carowinds offers an amazing boarding pass program allowing your child the ability to be “in line” without actually having to wait in the line. It was a game changer for us. Plus, the staff were all so kind. We bought a season pass (obviously feeling ambitious!).
The day was perfect from start to finish (and we rarely ever can say that!). I wanted to make an Instagram reel but it was impossible to put all of the love we felt into one minute. I wanted to make a blog post but it just doesn’t feel like enough. My heart could explode with pride for my boy and with love for our friends and family. Our cup runneth over and over.
When I get sad, I like to write. Which seems to be the common theme in my blog posts. By the time I finish writing, I am reminded of the many things I have to be thankful for, and end up feeling better. So... right now, I'm feeling sad. I don't write that to say "pity me." I am writing this to all the other autism mamas out there to say, "I am here, feeling sad, right along side you." I know I am not alone in my sadness but also so sad that others feel this way too.
channing's joy 