Grand Lake Autism Support Network

Blessed are you who take the time to listen to difficult speech, for you help me to know that if I persevere I can be understood.

Blessed are you who never bid me to "hurry up" and take my tasks from me and do them for me, because I often just need time rather than help.

Blessed are you who stand beside me as I enter new and untried ventures, for my failures will be outweighed by the times I surprise myself and you.

Blessed are you who understand that it is difficult for me to put my thoughts into words.

Blessed are you who with a smile encourage me to try once more.

Blessed are you who never remind me that today I asked the same question two times.

Blessed are you who respect me and love me as I am, just as I am, and not like you wish I were.

DISABILITIES

1 Corinithians 10:31

     Hi!  My name's Farley, Farley McFirefly.  I can't fly.  I have a wee disability.  You see, I have only one wing.  Some folks would think that I have a big problem, but I count it all joy.  Do you know why?

     Because I see it as an opportunity for God to use me in a very different way.  I can't fly, but I can glow, and when I glow I give the glory all to God.

     People might call me disabled because I only have one wing, but I'm more than able.  I've got a whole lot more to me than just my wings.  I've got a mind and a heart, and when I open my mouth to sing, that's when I really start to glow and give the glory all to God.

     All of us have problems in some way.  Some people can't walk or have trouble talking.  Others may have a hard time reading or doing math.  But it's not what we can't do that's important.  It's what we can  do that's important.  It's what we can do that counts.  Whatever we can do -- a little or a lot -- we can do it all for the glory of God!

The Misunderstood Child

by Kathy Winters

I am the child that looks healthy and fine.
I was born with ten fingers and toes.
But something is different, somewhere in my mind,
And what it is, nobody knows.

I am the child that struggles in school,
Though they say that I'm perfectly smart.
They tell me I'm lazy -- can learn if I try --
But I don't seem to know where to start.

I am the child that won't wear the clothes
Which hurt me or bother my feet.
I dread sudden noises, can't handle most smells,
And tastes -- there are few foods I'll eat.

I am the child that can't catch the ball
And runs with an awkward gait.
I am the one chosen last on the team
And I cringe as I stand there and wait.

I am the child with whom no one will play --
The one that gets bullied and teased.
I try to fit in and I want to be liked,
But nothing I do seems to please.

I am the child that tantrums and freaks
Over things that seem petty and trite.
You'll never know how I panic inside,
When I'm lost in my anger and fright.

I am the child that fidgets and squirms
Though I'm told to sit still and be good.
Do you think that I choose to be out of control?
Don't you know that I would if I could?

I am the child with the broken heart
Though I act like I don't really care.
Perhaps there's a reason God made me this way --
Some message he sent me to share.

For I am the child that needs to be loved
And accepted and valued too.
I am the child that is misunderstood.
I am different - but look just like you.

STEPPING STONES

The troubles and worries of life,

May be as stumbling blocks in our way,

Or we may make them stepping stones

To a nobler character and to Heaven.

Troubles are often the tools by which

God fashions us for better things.

I Asked God...

I asked God to take away my habit.
God said, No.
It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No.
His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary

I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No.
Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; it isn't granted, it is learned.

I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No.
I give you blessings; Happiness is up to you.

I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.

I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No.
You must grow on your own! ,but I will prune you to make you fruitful.

I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, No.
I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.

I ask God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.
God said...Ahhhh, finally you have the idea.

The Special Mother

by Erma Bombeck

Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures and a couple by habit.

This year nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of handicapped children. Did you ever wonder how mothers of handicapped children are chosen?

Somehow I visualize God hovering over earth selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger.

"Armstrong, Beth; son. Patron saint...give her Gerard. He's used to profanity."

"Forrest, Marjorie; daughter. Patron saint, Cecelia."

"Rutledge, Carrie; twins. Patron saint, Matthew."

Finally He passes a name to an angel and smiles, "Give her a handicapped child."

The angel is curious. "Why this one God? She's so happy."

"Exactly," smiles God, "Could I give a handicapped child to a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."

"But has she patience?" asks the angel.

"I don't want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she'll handle it."

"I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has her own world. She has to make her live in her world and that's not going to be easy."

"But, Lord, I don't think she even believes in you." God smiles, "No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect - she has just enough selfishness." The angel gasps - "selfishness? is that a virtue?"

God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take for granted a 'spoken word'". She will never consider a "step" ordinary. When her child says 'Momma' for the first time, she will be present at a miracle, and will know it!"

"I will permit her to see clearly the things I see...ignorance, cruelty, prejudice....and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life, because she is doing My work as surely as if she is here by My side".

My Precious Joy

Sweet Father in Heaven whose love is divine,
Thank-you so much for the son that is mine.
To others he'd be a burden to bear,
But to me he's a joy to which none can compare.
I know that he's different from most girls and boys,
He speaks kind of funny and plays strange with his toys.

For him, change is hard, he can get so upset,
He must seem so odd to those he has met.
Sometimes his anger gets out of control
And he has a huge meltdown which torments my soul.
Yet as I look into those precious blue eyes,
I know that you Lord gave me this surprise!

For life doesn't always turn out like we hope,
You know what is best, and it's through you I cope.
You help me to see as others do stare
That this is My precious boy, not a burden to bear.
Although he is different than some other kid,
I'm so glad that you did what you did.

When others comment "I don't know how you do it!"
It feels as arrows in my shoulder they have hit.
How could they not see what I see?
I just can't believe they don't envy me!
And then it occurs as if from above,
You knew that I was the one for this love.

The Autism Paradox

1.  It's easy to recite an entire book but difficult to make up a story.

2.  It's easy to line up toys but difficult to stay in line.

3.  It makes perfect sense to climb on the sofa but little sense to sit on it.

4.  Memorizing the Presidents in order - 10 minutes.  Packing a school bag - 10 hours.

5.  Family pictures on the wall are boring but that speck of dust next to it, now that's fascinating!

6.  Talking about weather patterns - a piece of cake.  Talking about my day - impossible.

7.  Ability to focus on spinning objects - timesless.  Ability to focus on homework - 3 seconds.

8.  Being called by name - can't hear it.  Some owl hooting in the distance - clear as a bell.

9.  How to operate the remote control - zero instruction.  How to button up pants - intensive instruction.

10.  Navigating social rules - poorly skilled.  Navigating from the back seat of the car - highly skilled.