Managing With Micah
"Vacation" looks differently for us than it does for most people. There is a LOT of planning that goes into it. If we fly... we have to make calls to TSA in advance. We have to make sure Micah has all the food and Pediasure and bottles that he'll need because they don't exactly supply those in airports.We need headphones to help with distracting or in some cases to help with sleeping. Also, can't forget his blue blanket. Phone and ipad chargers have to be packed in a carry-on as well because with all the "new" you need to have something "familiar". Almost forgot the lunchbox, which is something that can't be forgotten because we have to keep things cold. Oh, and diapers and wipes. And a change of clothes just in case. And a jacket.... Did I forget something??.. Oh, and toddler Tylenol just in case.
I actually don't mind any of that ^^^. It doesn't bother me to plan and pack for anything that he'll want or need. What bothers me are the stares. And I don't mean the "Oh, he's so cute" stares. I mean the disapproving and ugly stares that YES we very well pick up on because you're STARING. There is a difference between glancing and staring and it's always the latter when a bottle is brought out or Micah needs to be fed.
I'm never going to be embarrassed by my kid and what he needs to do to cope in a non-autistic friendly world. I'm also never going to try and get you to see him differently by telling you he's autistic. I shouldn't have to have a sign stating to the world that he's autistic in order for him to be seen with acceptance and understanding instead of judgment and disapproval. If you can't give someone that without knowing their life story than you're not really someone that can genuinely accept and understand other people. And that makes it a YOU problem not a MICAH problem.
And yes, he had an amazing time with being able to swim-swim.. not like be in a kiddie pool "swim". He loved all the waves and didn't care if one got him in the face. He'd just laugh and look for the next set of waves that would be rolling in. He's my fearless Micah man and I can't wait to see what he does next.
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