Angie Stone is a sweet mama of two children, one of whom is on the Autism spectrum. She recently posted this on Facebook and we asked her permission to share it with you. If you have ever gotten a diagnosis, and especially a prognosis (this is what you can expect with your child’s health or development) about your child, you will be able to relate to this. If you are in the early days of diagnosis or finding yourself in a particularly difficult stage, this may encourage you…
Two years ago today I was sitting in a waiting room waiting to hear the news that I already knew. The word autism was so scary to me with all the “will he ever be able to do this or that” was rushing around in my head. Now I look back on that day and wish I could go back and hug me and tell me that everything that doctor told us he would never do was nothing to be scared of and that he was going to prove them wrong. We were told Lazarus would probably never talk and probably never live a normal life and so far they have been so wrong.
I’m not saying all of this to make a big deal about Lazarus doing well, I’m saying this because I know, as a special needs parent, that it’s a scary, dark, and lonely place sometimes. I just want to make sure that people know we didn’t give up and just settle — which would have been a lot easier to do.
Lazarus is talking like I would have never dreamed of, texting us with our phones and AAC device. He is going to school and learning so so much and he is one of the most kind hearted, loving and most incredible little boys I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing.
We lost so many friends and family members since that day but we have gained so many more that understand the life we have right now. I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know so many moms that have become some of my best friends and have been so encouraging and loving on hard days.
Basically what I’m trying to say is don’t settle for the “he or she will nevers”. Fight for your babies and find the people that get your life and don’t judge your life and most importantly Jesus….keep Jesus in your life.
— Angie Stone
