There were quite a few I knew intimately and there were a few, for me, that were missing.
The ride of No Escape Room; Self Compassion and You; Grief is your Sister Wife…no divorce granted, and finally, Powerlessness isn’t Pretty…but must be accepted. Oh, and in place of the Gypsy Fortune Teller, there’s the People Whisperer…nonconformity, contradictions and getting real.
As I’ve probably mentioned before I have two kids with a list of intellectual disabilities and only recently I realized my life wasn’t a flu to get through. There is no “getting over” them. There is no “light at the end of the tunnel”. Only illuminating thoughts along the way (that I tend to forget easily).
And, neither is it a path of consolation (so why did I keep looking for something) instead my life is a journey of transformation that’s hard to accept. Tenaciously I seem to keep hanging on to what should or could be. Always wanting more and never becoming conscious that more equals war.
Finally, after more than two decades of the children, and my own traumatic beginnings, that one foot that had always been nailed to floor (while I traveled in circles) was released.
Tentatively I step out but the steps are contemplative not cathartic. I don’t mind because I’ve decided to allow things to obliterate me (I was slowly dying anyway, wasn’t It?) and where once I had thought it was because I had nothing left to lose, I now know it’s because I’ve everything to gain.
Thanks, Wanda, I know some of this would sound familiar to you. And I agree with your ride additions, from the caregiver point of view. I really love the image of replacing the hope for a “light at the end of the tunnel” with “illuminating thoughts” all along the way - that’s exactly it.
As a teacher the past 17+ years with many Autistic students & coworkers, I’m familiar with a fair amount of this and it’s often frustrating to me - I can only imagine the daily headaches families must be having. 😞 I’m glad you can still bring humor along with you. ♥️
There is such a variety of experiences within this diagnosis, it’s mind-boggling. If I couldn’t laugh about some of this… whew! (And, thanks for your work as a teacher!)
LOL at the funhouse, overload hotel, and others. I just kept thinking, oh my, she’s been through it. And it leads me to think about what a world would look like that DIDN’T put autistic ppl & caregivers through it. And that reminds me of the chap in Devon Price’s UNMASKING AUTISM where he sketches out an autistic-friendly world. Wondering if you’ve read that chap and what you would add to it. I guess you’ve basically said that all here, just in a different form. Anyway, thanks for laughs. So creative!
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! I haven't read that book, I'll have to check it out. I am not directly familiar with that aspect of the spectrum (my son seems to be more of a "I'm me, take it or leave it" kind of guy) :) - but I know from other friends in the community the pressures Price describes. I kept thinking of different ways an adventure park could show people all these facets of autism, and my list kept getting longer, haha (and probably barely scratched the surface!)
Ha this was an amazing read! Could identify with many but in particular:
Apple tree challenge
Echolalia chamber
Cash tornado
Rock ability roller coaster
Oh! That's why funhouse
The overload hotel
Hometown haven
I love how you broke all the challenges and scenarios down to show the impact on both someone with autism and their carer. I think many would find your fun way of looking in helpful in understanding how debilitating our world can be and feel sometimes. Thanks for such a great read Robin 👏
There were quite a few I knew intimately and there were a few, for me, that were missing.
The ride of No Escape Room; Self Compassion and You; Grief is your Sister Wife…no divorce granted, and finally, Powerlessness isn’t Pretty…but must be accepted. Oh, and in place of the Gypsy Fortune Teller, there’s the People Whisperer…nonconformity, contradictions and getting real.
As I’ve probably mentioned before I have two kids with a list of intellectual disabilities and only recently I realized my life wasn’t a flu to get through. There is no “getting over” them. There is no “light at the end of the tunnel”. Only illuminating thoughts along the way (that I tend to forget easily).
And, neither is it a path of consolation (so why did I keep looking for something) instead my life is a journey of transformation that’s hard to accept. Tenaciously I seem to keep hanging on to what should or could be. Always wanting more and never becoming conscious that more equals war.
Finally, after more than two decades of the children, and my own traumatic beginnings, that one foot that had always been nailed to floor (while I traveled in circles) was released.
Tentatively I step out but the steps are contemplative not cathartic. I don’t mind because I’ve decided to allow things to obliterate me (I was slowly dying anyway, wasn’t It?) and where once I had thought it was because I had nothing left to lose, I now know it’s because I’ve everything to gain.
Thanks, Wanda, I know some of this would sound familiar to you. And I agree with your ride additions, from the caregiver point of view. I really love the image of replacing the hope for a “light at the end of the tunnel” with “illuminating thoughts” all along the way - that’s exactly it.
So very clever Robin, loved this entry today.
Thank you!
I think you got them all!
As a teacher the past 17+ years with many Autistic students & coworkers, I’m familiar with a fair amount of this and it’s often frustrating to me - I can only imagine the daily headaches families must be having. 😞 I’m glad you can still bring humor along with you. ♥️
There is such a variety of experiences within this diagnosis, it’s mind-boggling. If I couldn’t laugh about some of this… whew! (And, thanks for your work as a teacher!)
What a creative and fun way to present this topic! I really enjoyed both how humorous and informative this piece was. Wonderful Robin :)
Thanks, I appreciate that! :)
LOL at the funhouse, overload hotel, and others. I just kept thinking, oh my, she’s been through it. And it leads me to think about what a world would look like that DIDN’T put autistic ppl & caregivers through it. And that reminds me of the chap in Devon Price’s UNMASKING AUTISM where he sketches out an autistic-friendly world. Wondering if you’ve read that chap and what you would add to it. I guess you’ve basically said that all here, just in a different form. Anyway, thanks for laughs. So creative!
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! I haven't read that book, I'll have to check it out. I am not directly familiar with that aspect of the spectrum (my son seems to be more of a "I'm me, take it or leave it" kind of guy) :) - but I know from other friends in the community the pressures Price describes. I kept thinking of different ways an adventure park could show people all these facets of autism, and my list kept getting longer, haha (and probably barely scratched the surface!)
Ha this was an amazing read! Could identify with many but in particular:
Apple tree challenge
Echolalia chamber
Cash tornado
Rock ability roller coaster
Oh! That's why funhouse
The overload hotel
Hometown haven
I love how you broke all the challenges and scenarios down to show the impact on both someone with autism and their carer. I think many would find your fun way of looking in helpful in understanding how debilitating our world can be and feel sometimes. Thanks for such a great read Robin 👏
Thank you! I had fun creating this one, and I knew it would probably sound familiar to some of you ;)