Different, Not Less

I started this page, and unfortunately have not been able to do what I intended to do with it. I have a story to tell just like everyone else in this world. I just happen to have a topic that I am on a first name basis with...Autism. It is one that I sometimes wish I didn't know anything about, and yet, it seems to be the one thing constant in my life that I seek knowledge about. When I wake up in the morning it is there, and when I go to sleep at night it is there. I find it seeking me out in every situation possible. I have literally come into contact with Autism in every context of my life. Just yesterday, I was in Walmart and the lady behind me was struggling with her adolescent son. I watched as people stared and made their judgements. You could see it on their faces...why doesn't she shut him up, why doesn't she have better control over him, if he was my child he wouldn't be acting like this in public. I turned to her and simply said,"it's ok I have a special boy too". I began to help her unload her cart, so that she could deal with her son. She was weary and worn. She asked me my name and I gave her my number. I told her to call me parent to parent anytime. I meant it. I didn't just say it to be saying it, I truly want her to call. Not because I have all of the best advice, answers or techniques, but because like her, I get up to Autism and I go to sleep with it. You never know what someone in that check out line might be going through.