TheMessyBlessyMommaMovement

 In 2015, when my daughter was diagnosed with Autism, my life ended. Or so I felt. This wasn't the type of autism that parents work through and watch as children flourish, navigating traditional education and eventual life on their own, but instead the type of autism that needs support, most likely forever.  Initially, people would pause and say "you were born for this" or "if anyone can do it, it's you" but in that moment, in that season, I didn't think I could and there are still days that I continue to feel as if I can't. As if autism is too much. There are also moments of elation, where I pause and think, I'd never dreamed we'd be here while she tries to talk to a family about a baby or a young child and their milestones and in that moment, someone sees her for who she is and engages and accepts her yet still there are other moments, where I catch my breath thinking, "will she ever be able to...." and those moments cause me to p...

 To say I am "Type A" is putting it mildly. Growing up, as an only child, I consistently heard that I had to learn to be more flexible, I had to be aware that things in life could and would change. I think back to my heartbreak time and time again when things didn't go just as planned. I would often hole up in my own world questioning how I could make it work out my way in the end and often I was disappointed. I had high standards, for myself and everything around me. In 2015, when my daughter was diagnosed with autism, I was still inflexible. I liked things laid out, properly or what was properly in my mind. My expectations for myself and those around me spread out onto the lives of my husband and children. Perfection was the only answer, in the home and in the presence of others. Slowly, I have learned to let go of what you cannot control. And when I say slowly, it's taken me 8 years to get to this place and sometimes I have to remind myself to be flexible.  Often, ...

  For a parent hearing the words, your child has been given an autism diagnosis, in that moment, their life will forever change. While autism has a spectrum as vast as an ocean, in that moment, that parent is united with other parents who like them choose to honor and accept the birth of a new life that they never expected. When my daughter was diagnosed, I anticipated how the process would go, what therapies she would need and how we would access the support that was necessary to help her grow into a strong, independent adult, with few barriers and limitations. As our daughter has grown, so had my understanding of raising an autistic child. I no longer anticipate anything. Instead, I honor everything. I recognize that all parents want success for their children with few barriers and limitations however, all people, autistic or not will face adversity, sorrow and sadness. This week at church, our Pastor spoke of the fact that there was a woman present, she was celebrating her 100th...