I recently read this article entitled The Vaccine-Autism Court Document Every American Should Read from The Huffington Post and it stopped me dead in my tracks. I decided to blog for Autism in April for many reasons. Reasons that are personal and familiar. But also, because I believe that Autism touches everyone.
Autism used to be a farway idea for me. I didn’t know much about it for most of my young adult life. I grew up going to school not knowing a single person affected by this phenomenon. Now that I have my own children, and several nephews, I have had a lot of personal “touches” of Autism.
I would be lying if I didn’t tell you that I do believe – emphatically – in the Autism/Vaccine connection. The more I read, learn, and see; the greater my belief becomes. You could ask me on any given day how I feel about vaccines and my reaction will always be the same. I believe they do more harm than good in the modern way they are used. I believe they are linked to more problems than benefits, and I also believe that parents are vastly underinformed about the long term affects of vaccinating their children. But this blog post isn’t about vaccines, it’s about Autism.
So let me tell you about one of the children in my life. Let me tell you about my experience with Autism, and the way I have seen it change lives forever. Since this child is not my own, but my nephew, the dates and specifics are a bit cloudy for me. Hopefully you can forgive that and see the story beyond it..
Meet Christian, my nephew. He’s a gorgeous boy. He’s full of life and energy. He and his twin Aaron were born very premature. Very premature. They both spent many months in the NICU hooked up to more machines than I could ever count. My sister would tell you every single specific of that time of her life. She could tell you their birth weights and how they struggled to survive. I was only a bystander during that time, but I remember it vividly. The day they came home, their first bottles, their first birthday.
Christian was developing normally. He was eating, talking, doing very well. Sometime around his second birthday he received an MMR and everything changed. I have heard parents of Autistic children describe the gradual retreat of their children. I have heard from my sister the story of how he changed, gradually and all at once. I have cried over the frustration I have seen her work through. I have watched, and prayed, and cried.. All the way. I don’t recall exactly when Christian was officially deemed “Autistic” but it wasn’t much later. Perhaps sometime around age three. My sister has spent the past five years trying everything she can find to make his life easier. She’s take him to clinic after clinic, changed diets, worked, cried, prayed, and yelled. She’s done it all. It’s her battle, but it has touched me in so many ways.
My experience with Christian varies. At times he is bright, loving, and funny. Other times he is moody, somber, and quiet. I recognize within him so many brilliant things. I believe he understands much about life. I believe he is happy, and I believe that he is at peace.
I often struggle, like many people, to train myself away from seeing Autistic children as “disabled.” I try to remember that whatever his challenges may be – that he is simply different, and special. Christian will face many hurdles in his life. He will find discrimination, and surely have to overcome far more than I can ever imagine. But I believe that he touches people.
Autistic children are beautiful. They are creative, they are funny, and they are endearing. Christian is no different. He is at times a handful, as any child is, but immediately lovable.
One day, I do hope there is an answer for Autism. I hope that there are answers for why this affects so many children, and their families. But for now, I can be thankful to know my nephew and the way his autism has touched my life.
Mammaren (Karen) is a SAHM of two lively boys. She lives just north of Houston, TX. Karen is thankful to be involved in blogging for Autism in the month of April and honored to be a guest blogger. Karen is passionate about vaccine education, active in the Natural Family Living community, and a Babywearing Educator. You can visit her personal blog Unfolding.
Related posts:
- Autism Reads: From hiding in the closet to converting bullies
- Autism Reads: From the financial strains of autism to bad parenting as the cause
- Autism Reads: From blocked autism bill to dedicated teachers
- Autism Reads: From ‘Autism is Hell’ to political correctness
- Autism Reads: From The Thimerosal Generation to the plague of stereotypes
Genevieve Hinson is a social media coordinator for Children's Hospital Central California. She's also a writer, wife and mom to two boys and a girl. The opinions she expresses here are her own, as is her obsession for coffee.
