She Deserves More

I decided last night to form a team in Avery's honor to walk for Autism in the Dallas/Fort Worth annual Walk for Autism Speaks. I vacillated as to whether or not to legitimately create a team, as I didn't want to seem like a charity case or bother too many people to donate money.... because if you are like us, most people are barely getting by these days. But in talking to some dear friends I decided to bite the bullet... and do so in the name of support and awareness more than fundraising. Not that Autism doesn't need all the fundraising it can get... but like I said, most of us are barely getting by these days.

My decision was swift once I really sat down and thought about it. Avery deserves words of support and encouragement even though she can's speak them. Avery deserves attention even though she often can't seek it out. Avery deserves personal rights and advocacy even if she doesn't know it, and Avery deserves compassion, love and awareness... lessons she teaches us everyday in her own unique and special way.

She deserves more.

When I read words like "every 20 minutes another child is diagnosed with Autism" my heart sinks. I literally feel a lump in my throat and a pulling at my heart. When we heard those words, though we already knew it, we became different people. In that instant. Her severity has moved from "it looks pretty mild" to "well, maybe she is more on the severe side" as she moves forward, lost more developmental skills and drifted further into her own world.

She deserves more.

As we drive her to school at the crack of dawn, then onward to therapy every afternoon and even on Saturdays...

She deserves more.

As we dispense countless medications, supplements, spend hours in a hyperbaric oxygen treatment chamber, search for diapers large enough to fit her, and time and time again help her remember simple tasks like not throwing her sippy cup and trying to use a fork.

She deserves more.

As we long to connect with her. Wait for her to look us in the eye. Make attempt after attempt after attempt to "play" with her, and one day... maybe one day, hear her words again.

She deserves more.

She deserves to be heard. To be understood. To have the same benefits and rights that healthy kids have. To have fun. To connect with us. To share with us.

So I formed a team on the Autism Speaks website to walk for her. It is so simple, just a short walk, but at least it gives me one more thing I can do for her. To do right by her. It gives you all something too. Even if all you do is look at her team page, and remember how devastating it can be to lose your child into this neurological disorder...it gives you knowledge. So next time you see a little kid having a tantrum, not following directions, not responding, wearing diapers though he seems to old, or not looking or talking to you... you will remember. Remember Avery. She deserves that.

Autism Awareness is why I will walk. Avery deserves it.

http://www.walknowforautism.org/dfw/averygrace