Look deeper, see me.
A child's inner struggle with Autism.31 total reviews
Comment from MJ McIntire
This broke my heart. I just wanted to cry.
It brought me back to a friend I had many years ago and her son had autism. I never knew how she did it all. Sometimes she would laugh at the stories she told me, little things he would say or do.
The everyday challenges, the getting him dressed, the preparing him to go to visit his dad and because it was a bad divorce she had to bring her son to a public place a video story (in the 90s) only to have the dad not show. The turmoil that would cause.
How if it rained she could not take him out or if they were in the car they could not get out because rain hurt his skin-pulsing water did not, like under the waterfall at the water park we would go to.
He called me Brenda, I don't know why but I just loved that was what he called me.
We lost touch and I moved away from AZ, I often think how she is doing and him as well, he should be about 32.
Excellent!!!!
MJ
reply by the author on 15-Sep-2017
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This broke my heart. I just wanted to cry.
It brought me back to a friend I had many years ago and her son had autism. I never knew how she did it all. Sometimes she would laugh at the stories she told me, little things he would say or do.
The everyday challenges, the getting him dressed, the preparing him to go to visit his dad and because it was a bad divorce she had to bring her son to a public place a video story (in the 90s) only to have the dad not show. The turmoil that would cause.
How if it rained she could not take him out or if they were in the car they could not get out because rain hurt his skin-pulsing water did not, like under the waterfall at the water park we would go to.
He called me Brenda, I don't know why but I just loved that was what he called me.
We lost touch and I moved away from AZ, I often think how she is doing and him as well, he should be about 32.
Excellent!!!!
MJ
Comment Written 15-Sep-2017
reply by the author on 15-Sep-2017
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I'm glad that this touched you. I'm thrilled that this week people are reading this story and remembering or realising what it's like to be an child with Autism, or a parent of a child with Autism. My cousin has two sons 13 and 15. The 13 year old has Snow White hair and enormous blue eyes ( he's very similar in looks to my own son) and he is 6'2" with the strength of 10 men. My cousin has muscles on his muscles from providing control when there is none for Harry. Harry's eyes dance with delight but he is non communicative and I watch him and wonder " what goes on inside that brain?" He recognises a few foods on cards that he points to when he's hungry and I think " something in his brain tells him that he likes bananas or yoghurt." I would love to be able to unlock his world and share it with him. Jack is 15 and has Autism too but functions at a much higher level almost I would say like Aspergers. He's gorgeous and I love them both very much. I cried when I wrote this story too! It is a strange feeling to feel such strong emotion whilst writing a story. I liked it though because it meant that I'd got it right! Thank you for your very kind feedback. I was quite moved. PM
Comment from tfawcus
What a remarkable description of autism and its effects on the family dynamic. I thought that this sentence really encapsulated the different attitudes that can exist, and their impact on the child: "A word, a diagnosis, or a little boy trapped inside, alone and afraid? " Congratulations on winning the contest. Well deserved!
reply by the author on 15-Sep-2017
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What a remarkable description of autism and its effects on the family dynamic. I thought that this sentence really encapsulated the different attitudes that can exist, and their impact on the child: "A word, a diagnosis, or a little boy trapped inside, alone and afraid? " Congratulations on winning the contest. Well deserved!
Comment Written 15-Sep-2017
reply by the author on 15-Sep-2017
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Thank you. And thank you for your feedback, it's much appreciated.PM
Comment from bob cullen
You have described my nephew's thoughts to a tee. And I believe Jeffrey is as trapped as you character. You have captured the impression I have of his frustration. His parent's share his suffering.
A beautiful write that is all too true.
Jeffrey is 28
reply by the author on 15-Sep-2017
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You have described my nephew's thoughts to a tee. And I believe Jeffrey is as trapped as you character. You have captured the impression I have of his frustration. His parent's share his suffering.
A beautiful write that is all too true.
Jeffrey is 28
Comment Written 14-Sep-2017
reply by the author on 15-Sep-2017
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Thank you for your feedback. It's most appreciated. PM
Comment from flylikeaneagle
An outstanding and so true story about youth with autism. My daughters work as therapists in Colorado with youth with autism. One child is seven and being raised by a grandma who watches television. This is also how she is teaching her grandson with autism. My daughter makes home visits and has helped this boy and many others. More awareness is coming out. Sesame Street has characters in their books of the youth with autism. Thanks for awareness. Keep working with your cousin, read stories, do yoga, and have fun. flylikeaneagle
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2017
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An outstanding and so true story about youth with autism. My daughters work as therapists in Colorado with youth with autism. One child is seven and being raised by a grandma who watches television. This is also how she is teaching her grandson with autism. My daughter makes home visits and has helped this boy and many others. More awareness is coming out. Sesame Street has characters in their books of the youth with autism. Thanks for awareness. Keep working with your cousin, read stories, do yoga, and have fun. flylikeaneagle
Comment Written 14-Sep-2017
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2017
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Thank you for your wonderful review and the "6" greatly appreciated.
Comment from JW
How sad. I can only imagine what it would be like to be a child with this type of affliction. Thanks for sharing this story. It makes one so very thankful that they do not have to live with this type of torture. JW
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2017
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How sad. I can only imagine what it would be like to be a child with this type of affliction. Thanks for sharing this story. It makes one so very thankful that they do not have to live with this type of torture. JW
Comment Written 14-Sep-2017
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2017
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Thank you for your feedback. Thank you for your feedback. Many of these children are not aware of anything
Comment from nancy_e_davis
It is sad to think of a child being trapped inside such a body. Knowing all but unable to communicate. God bless the people who have taken on the problem of helping these children. Good job. Good luck, Nancy
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2017
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It is sad to think of a child being trapped inside such a body. Knowing all but unable to communicate. God bless the people who have taken on the problem of helping these children. Good job. Good luck, Nancy
Comment Written 14-Sep-2017
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2017
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Thank you for your feedback. Many of these children are not aware of their surroundings, emotions etc but it's not known which of these children ARE actually aware. There are brain scans which show activity in the brain and which cortex that activity is in but no tests to know what they are actually thinking, if indeed they ARE thinking. It's very sad. Some children are " locked in" and come out suddenly with speech intact and thoughts also but this is rare.
Comment from ruzu27
This is a very well-penned story on Autism. I was very much touched reading it. We once lived close to a Autism Centre and from that time I remember a lot of knowledge I gained at that time. As the story is written from the child's perspective, for me it is very haunting.The child explains his mother what he is feeling and urgently wants her to understand. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Blessings,
Ruth
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2017
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This is a very well-penned story on Autism. I was very much touched reading it. We once lived close to a Autism Centre and from that time I remember a lot of knowledge I gained at that time. As the story is written from the child's perspective, for me it is very haunting.The child explains his mother what he is feeling and urgently wants her to understand. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Blessings,
Ruth
Comment Written 14-Sep-2017
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2017
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Thank you for your feedback. It is greatly appreciated. PM
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Thank you for your feedback. It is greatly appreciated. PM
Comment from apky
You wrote this with so much skill and above all else, you inserted tons of emotions in this sweet-sad story. As I read, I imagined you, the writer, have such a child and thought that was why you wrote such an exceptional piece.
Thanks for sharing it. I'm glad I still had a six saved for just such a chance encounter with a marvellous writer.
This made my eyes tear:
Mommy, I know that you're tired. I know you're sad and I know you're frustrated. But please, remember that I'm just a little boy, Mommy, trapped inside a lonely, empty world and one day....
I'd like to come out to play with you.
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2017
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You wrote this with so much skill and above all else, you inserted tons of emotions in this sweet-sad story. As I read, I imagined you, the writer, have such a child and thought that was why you wrote such an exceptional piece.
Thanks for sharing it. I'm glad I still had a six saved for just such a chance encounter with a marvellous writer.
This made my eyes tear:
Mommy, I know that you're tired. I know you're sad and I know you're frustrated. But please, remember that I'm just a little boy, Mommy, trapped inside a lonely, empty world and one day....
I'd like to come out to play with you.
Comment Written 14-Sep-2017
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2017
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Thank you for your very kind words. I have tears in my eyes too when I read it. Is that weird? I don't have a child with Autism. I have a cousin with two boys who have Autism anda friend who has a son who has Autism. I've worked with many people with Aspergers on the other end of the "spectrum", and I believe that we all lie at some place on the "spectrum"
I don't expect anyone to believe me but a few weeks ago I wrote about mental illness and upset a few people who thought that I was unwell. I was not unwell. I have an uncanny ability to insert myself into someone else's shoes and " feel" what they are feeling. That may be Autism, Bipolar Mood Disorder, Schizophrenia, diabetes even. I can " walk a mile in their shoes" and feel, see and hear what they feel, hear and see. I've censored my writing over the past few weeks for fear of upsetting people. It's not my intention and I can simply write those pieces in private. I just wanted you to know how I am able to write these stories. Bless PM
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I have an uncanny ability to insert myself into someone else's shoes and " feel" what they are feeling. ~ and precisely that is the badge of a talented writer.
Don't let people ruin your talent because of their own incapabilities. As I always say, if you don't like what I say, save us both grief and simply move on; I don't need to know how much you hate what I do or did.
Have a fab weekend ahead.
Apky
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Thank you so much. I really appreciate your support.
Comment from Dean Kuch
Unlike those of us who have children and family members afflicted with Autism, there is no escape for those saddled with the disease. They are trapped within a body just screaming for release with no outlet to do so.
We all know how frustrating something is when we feel helpless to do anything about it.
This is how I imagine those who have Autism must feel.
Well done, this was very well written.
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2017
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Unlike those of us who have children and family members afflicted with Autism, there is no escape for those saddled with the disease. They are trapped within a body just screaming for release with no outlet to do so.
We all know how frustrating something is when we feel helpless to do anything about it.
This is how I imagine those who have Autism must feel.
Well done, this was very well written.
Comment Written 14-Sep-2017
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2017
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Thank you for your feedback. PM
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My pleasure.
Comment from smileycloud
What a true and magical piece of writing
the heartbreak of feeling different is very difficult to eliminate from their thoughts
the beauty is that the love they feel is tenfold to how some people feel love
some people pale in significance to a gifted autistic child/person
it is funny how some people get away with loads of misinterpretation but never really listen and look at the reality
God Bless
How old in years is your little one
have a smiley day
good luck in the contest
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2017
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What a true and magical piece of writing
the heartbreak of feeling different is very difficult to eliminate from their thoughts
the beauty is that the love they feel is tenfold to how some people feel love
some people pale in significance to a gifted autistic child/person
it is funny how some people get away with loads of misinterpretation but never really listen and look at the reality
God Bless
How old in years is your little one
have a smiley day
good luck in the contest
Comment Written 14-Sep-2017
reply by the author on 14-Sep-2017
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Thank you for your feedback. My cousins boys are now 15 and 13 and the younger boy has no speech at all. My friends boy is 10. It gets so difficult when they get older if there is no communication, the 13 year old is 6'2". Bless. PM
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::))
I will pray they grow to be mostly peaceful and quietly content and meltdowns very rare
Blessings
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That's all we can hope for. PM
