Today is World Autism Awareness Day. I shared a beautiful picture of my daughter H, along with my sentiments, on Facebook this morning, and am in awe of the response. In just under two hours, it's been shared nearly 80 times, and 73 of those people I don't even know.
To me, sharing that post is spreading awareness. And spreading awareness is guiding understanding. Understanding is forgoing judgement. Forgoing judgement leads to compassion. Compassion brings acceptance.
"We're 'Lighting It Up Blue' in honor of our daughter Hayden. She was dx'd with Autism at 4 1/2 years old. Her amazing soul has taught us how to learn different, express different and love different. Her heart is tender. She finds beauty in things most of us don't pay attention to. Once you crack her code and are embraced into her world, she gives you non-judged, whole-hearted, never-ending endearment. The most common misconception about her is that she's rude and unhappy. When in turn, Autism clouds her emotions, and those who don't understand it, simply don't get it. She's faced "friends" making fun of her Autism, being left out, and many, many learning challenges. In turn, her internal world...her home, her family and our very close family friends reap the benefits of her amazing gifts. Her laughter, her smiling eyes and her trust is a far better reward than any material item. She wants what everybody wants...to be accepted. To be liked. To be smart. She has taught me more about life and unconditional love in 10 years with us, than I've gathered in my whole life. Without her, I would not be who I am today. She gives me strength, confidence, joy, tears, frustration and eternal happiness. Today, on worldwide Autism Awareness Day, we Light It Up Blue for our Hayden Cate! Spread the word.
