Being an Autism Parent is like riding the scariest wooden roller-coaster you can possibly imagine. There are often no brakes and that means you can't get off the ride because it never stops. In many cases, the ride doesn't stop until the day you die.
I know it can often be depressing to read about the struggles I face as an Autism and Special Needs Parent. Someone from high school once told me that they don't read my blog because *it's too depressing and they don't want the negativ*ity in their lives. It's true and that really hurt to hear that but I get it.
While our story is unique in the sense that we are dealing with 3 kids on the Autism Spectrum, as well as some very rare medical and mental health issues, it's far from unique in many other ways. (*<strong class="text-zinc-900 font-semibold">How to spot the signs of Autism in Children</strong>*)
Every Autism and/or Special Needs family has a unique story. Everyone faces a unique set of challenges and yes, it can be depressing to read about it.
It hurt to told by someone I considered to be a friend, that they don't read or follow because they don't want the negativity in their life. That's not something I would ever say to someone but on the other hand, I get it.
Here's the thing.
It takes courage for anyone to share parts of their life that you wouldn't see otherwise. It takes courage for Autism parents to share their story because they are often met with judgment, ridicule and a lack of understanding.
It's hard to understand someone else's life, especially when you haven't experienced anything similar in your own.
It doesn't mean you can't learn something from it anyway.
It doesn't mean that you can't walk away after reading or listening to someone's story and be a better person for having listened.
It also doesn't mean that you will never face similar challenges at some point in your life either.
When it comes to Autism specifically, the insight you gain by listening to even one family's story can help you better understand and relate, should Autism ever touch your life.
I know it can be depressing to read what parents like myself go through as we care for our children with Autism. Sometimes the negative can drown out everything else. That's simply the unpleasant truth of the matter.
Always try to keep in mind that you can walk away from reading at any point and go back to your life. The person whose story you find too depressing to read, can't just walk away. It's their life and they have to find a way to live that life, every single day.
I have always told people who say I'm negative, that I know it can be depressing to read our story but at least you can walk away from it when you're done reading, I still have to live it.
