I have an autistic son.
It always proves too much for the people who come near my life. Like the Sarah character, I too, had a very brief taste of the man of my dreams who I worshipped from afar for a long time. I took a risk in telling him and it paid off. For a little while. Predictably, the complications of my life were too much for him and he broke it off. Perhaps NOT the man of my dreams after all?? Who knows.
Sheyne, one of my friends has an autistic son. I am not just saying, it's true. Her name is Laurence, if that can make her sound any more real. She is lucky in that her boyfriend is still with her. But I think I can imagine what it is like for you.
Another friend, very close, adopted a child who turned out to be handicapped. She made a big problem out of it whereas it was alright for her husband. Now there are on their way to divorce.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that for the people I know, it has not been a problem for their close ones in their lives, but for themselves. You are perfectly right to talk openly about having an autistic child, and those for whom it proves too much are best left alone. So probably that one was not the man of your life after all.
My friend with the autistic child found support from everyone including her son's school teachers, but also from an association of parents who have the same experience. You might get to meet someone there? Someone for whom it would not prove too much.
Thanks for the thoughts. Although, I can't say enough how much Will's disability is NOT a problem for me. Its funny, people are always saying to me "must be tough", "I don't know how you do it" etc. The simple fact is: I've never known any differently. And it IS tough, but what parent would tell you differently?? Its a rough gig, if you're determined to do a good job, with or
without a disability. And to Leighton's (man of my dreams... or maybe not) credit, he tried. But ultimately, trying was something he wasn't prepared to do for any great length of time. Mostly because Will was so time consuming for me and Leighton was a guy who liked a lot of attention. (men, I swear.. lol) I don't resent him for deciding to break it off, but it still broke my heart.
I know I've got a great kid here. And I don't like telling people we meet that he has Autism, because they cease to see a rambunctious, happy, sweet and incredibly bright little boy and they start seeing a walking disability. Its frustrating. They automatically start cataloguing what he "can't" do and I'm just itching to yell at them "but look at what he CAN do!" Anyway..
On a lighter note, if you have gender issues, why not try girls?? NO, I am NOT on a self-promoting tour here, I was just thinking out loud. Yeah, I am some thinker, I know.
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Good god, Isabelle.
Don't let Ray hear you say that!!! lol.. He admitted Saturday night that he's on a mission to turn me gay. *in hoarse, dramatic whisper* Don't encourage him!!
