Why we are here: A Testimonial
What will it take to beat your drum?
Over the past ten or so years the lives of my wife and I have drastically changed. From a young married couple with various hopes and dreams, to the parents of two with dreams that are ever evolving. We have even had some dreams that have gone away due to an inner reflection on what is truly important. Like any parent, we want what is best for our kids, for their future, and their well-being. We often have had changes in our own personal philosophies, and what is important to us as a couple, and as individuals to meet what is best for our kids and family. As with any great journey these changes tend to occur for a reason, and for the most part we are happy they came our way. From time to time, however, events beyond our control tend to lead us down a path that we may have thought we would never take, and the old adage that we all say in our youth, “this will never happen to me,” comes back to prove us wrong. We then have to stand back and look our path and find new direction, hope, and a new beat to march to. At that time we must to say to ourselves, “who’s drum will I march to, and what will it take to beat and march to my own drum?”
Over the past few years, I have realized what it has taken for me to beat my drum. This realization did not come easy for me. The story starts with the birth of our son, Kian. He changed our world for the better when he came into it a mere 5 lbs 8 oz. As with most parents, the world we thought we had was changed in an instant. As time went on, we knew he was different and very special. He is full of love and special gifts for everyone who would meet him. Ultimately, through our research, talking to his pediatrician, and generally just recognizing his struggles, we knew that Kian faced some real challenges in his development. Along with this we as parents faced many tears and struggles of our own.
Although for 10 years we knew in our hearts that our little boy had high functioning autism, we finally obtained the courage to receive the diagnosis and the “label” of autism (ASD) in 2010. This diagnosis was very liberating for me, and was a sign that we had found our drum to beat and march to. It was clear to both my wife and me that we MUST not only become an advocate for our son, but also an advocate for families here in Utah and beyond, who shared similar struggles with autism.
Any family affected by autism knows that the glares of disgust from well meaning individuals when their child is having a meltdown, the under the breath comments, and finally the direct opinions and suggestions on how you can better parent your child. We all know how difficult it is to go through, and anyone who has had these experiences want to shout from the mountaintop, “HE’S/SHE’S AUTISTIC!!! WHATS YOUR PROBLEM???” We as parents usually stop short of doing so and continue to attend to our child because we know that they didn’t ask for this, and really it is that person’s problem and lack of knowledge and understanding that leads them to these behaviors. Unfortunately, most of us know that these behaviors leave Autistic children at a higher risk for being bullied, teased, and left out merely because most people do not understand them. My wife and I have had these experiences with our son, and I’m here to tell you that we can be a voice for these children and can help others to understand. So, this drum I have been given and it needs to be beat and beat loudly. Everyone in the world needs to understand the faces on the spectrum of Autism and to gain acceptance of the individuals in the autistic community. Our children need love, support, understanding and acceptance. Autistic children can be and are able to be great friends and productive citizens and all they need is more understanding and support.
I am asking each one of you to help us beat our drum. We must become a loud undeniable drone that insists on everyone’s attention and urges them to join us. We need each and every one of you to accomplish this goal. We need you to help us by beating your drum so loudly that the world cannot help but acknowledge our mission and goal; to gain acceptance and understanding. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “A true alliance is based upon some self-interest of each component group and a common interest into which they merge.” I am asking for each of you to help bring awareness and acceptance of the autistic community into our neuro-typical community, to merge the two in a common goal and a united front.
The voice of autism is reliant on all of us to speak on its behalf. It is up to each and every person, male or female, young or old, to raise our voice for bringing acceptance and understanding for the autistic community. I ask you to stand in line with us and help us beat our drum and make a difference.
Sincerely,
Families of Autism and Asperger’s Standing Together
Over the past ten or so years the lives of my wife and I have drastically changed. From a young married couple with various hopes and dreams, to the parents of two with dreams that are ever evolving. We have even had some dreams that have gone away due to an inner reflection on what is truly important. Like any parent, we want what is best for our kids, for their future, and their well-being. We often have had changes in our own personal philosophies, and what is important to us as a couple, and as individuals to meet what is best for our kids and family. As with any great journey these changes tend to occur for a reason, and for the most part we are happy they came our way. From time to time, however, events beyond our control tend to lead us down a path that we may have thought we would never take, and the old adage that we all say in our youth, “this will never happen to me,” comes back to prove us wrong. We then have to stand back and look our path and find new direction, hope, and a new beat to march to. At that time we must to say to ourselves, “who’s drum will I march to, and what will it take to beat and march to my own drum?”
Over the past few years, I have realized what it has taken for me to beat my drum. This realization did not come easy for me. The story starts with the birth of our son, Kian. He changed our world for the better when he came into it a mere 5 lbs 8 oz. As with most parents, the world we thought we had was changed in an instant. As time went on, we knew he was different and very special. He is full of love and special gifts for everyone who would meet him. Ultimately, through our research, talking to his pediatrician, and generally just recognizing his struggles, we knew that Kian faced some real challenges in his development. Along with this we as parents faced many tears and struggles of our own.
Although for 10 years we knew in our hearts that our little boy had high functioning autism, we finally obtained the courage to receive the diagnosis and the “label” of autism (ASD) in 2010. This diagnosis was very liberating for me, and was a sign that we had found our drum to beat and march to. It was clear to both my wife and me that we MUST not only become an advocate for our son, but also an advocate for families here in Utah and beyond, who shared similar struggles with autism.
Any family affected by autism knows that the glares of disgust from well meaning individuals when their child is having a meltdown, the under the breath comments, and finally the direct opinions and suggestions on how you can better parent your child. We all know how difficult it is to go through, and anyone who has had these experiences want to shout from the mountaintop, “HE’S/SHE’S AUTISTIC!!! WHATS YOUR PROBLEM???” We as parents usually stop short of doing so and continue to attend to our child because we know that they didn’t ask for this, and really it is that person’s problem and lack of knowledge and understanding that leads them to these behaviors. Unfortunately, most of us know that these behaviors leave Autistic children at a higher risk for being bullied, teased, and left out merely because most people do not understand them. My wife and I have had these experiences with our son, and I’m here to tell you that we can be a voice for these children and can help others to understand. So, this drum I have been given and it needs to be beat and beat loudly. Everyone in the world needs to understand the faces on the spectrum of Autism and to gain acceptance of the individuals in the autistic community. Our children need love, support, understanding and acceptance. Autistic children can be and are able to be great friends and productive citizens and all they need is more understanding and support.
I am asking each one of you to help us beat our drum. We must become a loud undeniable drone that insists on everyone’s attention and urges them to join us. We need each and every one of you to accomplish this goal. We need you to help us by beating your drum so loudly that the world cannot help but acknowledge our mission and goal; to gain acceptance and understanding. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “A true alliance is based upon some self-interest of each component group and a common interest into which they merge.” I am asking for each of you to help bring awareness and acceptance of the autistic community into our neuro-typical community, to merge the two in a common goal and a united front.
The voice of autism is reliant on all of us to speak on its behalf. It is up to each and every person, male or female, young or old, to raise our voice for bringing acceptance and understanding for the autistic community. I ask you to stand in line with us and help us beat our drum and make a difference.
Sincerely,
Families of Autism and Asperger’s Standing Together