Confession… I didn’t really care about Autism (or disabilities in general) before we became a part of it. I knew these things existed but it didn’t affect me so I didn’t do anything about it. If there was something on the news… Well, as a write this I can’t really even remember any news stories… Growing up, I knew some people who had someone with a disability in their family but sort of ignored it and definitely did not reach out to help or understand. If we’re being honest with each other, I was a bit uncomfortable around these families. Of course I had a caring soul and had sympathy but it was so far removed from my day-to-day that it was pushed to the background. I was living my life having a grand time, too busy to bother.
Flash forward to today and we find ourselves as close as close can be to this community. And I SEE IT…
I see the struggle each and every day. I see the constant worry and grief. I see the unknown, oh the scary unknown. I see families being ruined financially and falling apart at the seams. I see a mom struggling to hold it all together with a smile plastered on her face. I see that same mom crying in her kitchen later that night when no one is watching. I see parents who have a completely different set of development milestones they are pushing towards. I see the loneliness. The anguish when peers and family just don’t get it. I see the people that work with disabilities struggling to get by (why are they not paid more?). I see abuse, neglect, discrimination, death…
But you know what? I also see a community that is trying their hardest to break through. I see a community yelling at the top of their lungs “See Us!!”. I see change from these voices, slow agonizing change but change nonetheless.
Z with aSkate 
Z with Waves of Impact 
Z with Waves of Impact 
Z with Surfers Healing 
Z with aSkate 
Z with Ivey Ranch 
Z with Ivey Ranch 
Z with AYSO
And most of all I see these beautiful, caring, innocent people whose disability actually makes them more, not less. They will teach you strength no gym ever could. They teach you love no other relationship ever could. They teach you advocacy that no law school ever could. They teach you faith no church ever could. They are who we fight for. They are who we struggle for and who we learn the greatest lessons from.
So what do we need from you? Please slow down. Pay attention. Become a part of one of these communities. Reach out to help one of these families. They will not ask for it and will probably say no but keep offering. If you see something in politics, do your research like you would with any other thing that impacts you and vote how your heart tells you to. This community needs more voices, voices not of their own. Thank the Special Ed teachers at your school, volunteer in THEIR classroom, ask PTA how much of their fundraiser goes to THIS community. At your church, find out what their Special Needs ministry is. Oh, there isn’t one? Then create it! Join us on the frontline. We recently celebrated Autism Awareness Day and to this I say to you: It’s great to light it up blue in April, but what are you doing the rest of the year?
Here’s just some of the organizations we have worked with. If interested, please volunteer or donate.
- https://wavesofimpact.com/
- http://www.waves4all.org/
- https://www.surfershealing.org
- http://askate.org/
- https://www.sanelijoayso.org/Default.aspx?tabid=651215
- http://www.iveyranch.com/therapeutic-riding/
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Tilted Axis 