I’m sure most of you know that April is Autism Awareness Month and that April 2nd is World Autism Day. Most posts ask you to wear blue to show your support and puzzle piece items are abundant this time of year. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about April the last few days, thanks to a follower on our Facebook page. He had several really good points. I’ve also read other posts from families who dislike the puzzle piece and wearing blue. Other families “Color their world.” Still others do nothing. My point is – do what is best for your family.
I understand people don’t like the puzzle piece as they feel it is saying their child is “missing” something. A well-known autism organization likes to say “Till all the pieces fit” as if lives were a puzzle that may not be completed, until autism is cured. I’ve written before I am not a parent who wants to see my children “cured.” There is nothing wrong with them – autism is part of them, like my temper is part of me. To say they need cured is like saying they have a terrible disease and not just a different way of thinking and feeling.
I like reading what other people think as it gives me a different perspective. I also know that many unscrupulous people use “Awareness Months” to scam people from money. Please, please – if you feel the need to donate, give directly to the organization – do not donate over the phone when someone calls you. Or give your donation to a local organization that helps families with autism.
I never felt the puzzle piece was a negative symbol for autism. (Please – this is only my opinion and I’m not trying to convince anyone to think like me!) I like the bright colors. I wear puzzle piece charms. I also wear puppy paws. My charms are only for things I love – not a political statement. But I have another reason to wear the puzzle piece….
Casey likes it. Simple as that. She doesn’t think there is anything wrong with her – she just likes the puzzle pieces. She doesn’t understand why people argue about it. She likes that “she” has a ribbon and that she can give them to her friends in April. To her, April is a celebration and you know how she loves celebrations! She won’t tell you she has autism. She won’t tell you much about herself. Casey and Rob both know they are different than others – they just don’t care.
They are happy. They have a huge family that loves them. They have Mandy and Cory. They have Elmo and magazines. They have crayons and color by numbers. They get to go hiking with Tracie and to sleep at Grandma and Grandpa’s. April isn’t a month to point out their differences to them. If anything, it is a month to celebrate those differences.
Casey is very proud of her puzzle piece flag on the front porch and they both like putting blue flags in the yard. We don’t do it for acknowledgment – we do it because they like it! We will wear blue on April 2nd because Casey loves it when we do. We are not doing it as if to say “hey look at us – this month is about us.” We do it because it makes our family happy. In our house, every month is Autism Awareness.
We spread awareness all the time. Every time we go to a store or visit a new place, we are spreading awareness of autism. We don’t need a special month to spread awareness, as my Facebook friend pointed out – most people have some awareness of autism now. We need to spread the joy we feel as parents of these amazing people! We need to show our pride. We need to support each other, as we all know we have bad days. Judging other families for how they live with autism is hurting everyone who lives and loves autism. Be kind. It’s really that simple.
So for this “Awareness Month” I’ll be sharing bits and pieces of our journey on our Facebook page and we will be proudly wearing blue and displaying our flags. Because every time someone laughs at something one of the kids did or thinks outside the box because we did, more lives will be affected. Maybe a teacher will try to be more like the ones my kids had or a parent will feel less alone. (Autism can definitely be a lonely journey at times. 🙁 )
Happy April, everyone! Spread pride and joy! Think of this as a month to celebrate your amazing family! Casey thinks we need a cake and Rob wants cookies. I think we can do that. Maybe I’ll even make them puzzle piece shaped or blue…. 🙂