13 minutes of pain
This is probably the most painful 13 minutes I've ever watched.
Autism Every Day
Minutes: 13:20
Low | Medium | High
The only reason it hurts that badly is because it is the best and most honest representation of what it is like to deal with autism. If you really want to know what it is like, then feel free to watch it, but if you don't, seriously, don't watch it. It really is that difficult.
One observation I'll make here, is that you don't see a lot of guys in the video. This stands to reason I suppose. I like to consider myself a pretty invovled father and husband, and I STILL deal with the boys about 1/10th as much as Brandi does. I can only imagine how difficult this was for her to watch (but she still liked it enough to send to most of the active people in our contact list).
That's about it for the moment. Most of the thoughts rattling around my brain these days are not blog-safe. I'll post more when I am able.
Autism Every Day
Minutes: 13:20
Low | Medium | High
The only reason it hurts that badly is because it is the best and most honest representation of what it is like to deal with autism. If you really want to know what it is like, then feel free to watch it, but if you don't, seriously, don't watch it. It really is that difficult.
One observation I'll make here, is that you don't see a lot of guys in the video. This stands to reason I suppose. I like to consider myself a pretty invovled father and husband, and I STILL deal with the boys about 1/10th as much as Brandi does. I can only imagine how difficult this was for her to watch (but she still liked it enough to send to most of the active people in our contact list).
That's about it for the moment. Most of the thoughts rattling around my brain these days are not blog-safe. I'll post more when I am able.
Comments
Still have my number? Feel free to vent anytime :)
And I'll always have your number. It's stored in my contacts list, in my note on my PDA, and on my cell phone. I just don't call to talk much. Would you believe I've spoken with you more often and more recently than my college buddies in Washington, California, and even 1 who LIVES IN TUCSON!?!?
I'm a terrible friend. :)
I guess when we came to visit you guys we saw your oldest at a good point. I thought he did very well, especially with two strangers in his space.
Some of the things they said in the video reminded me of what you said about not being able to enjoy things you had planned as a dad to share with your first born. I know it's not an easy road, but you guys are doing an awesome job.
I don't imagine that a 13 minute documentary is even close to sufficient as far as making me fully appreciate the struggles of parents of autistic children--and the struggles of the children themselves--but I think it's an important start. I feel overwhelmed just trying to put myself in the shoes of the mothers I saw in the film. And with my own kid on the way I have much to mull over. I can say I'm coming away from this with a profound respect for the work put in by the parents and a greater understanding of the sacrifices they make. To know that you and Brandi share in this struggle and work through a similar balancing act in your day-to-day lives makes it all the more significant. Thanks for sharing this; it was truly eye-opening.
And let me reiterate, Brandi deals with this at least 10 times more than I do. She has piled up a great rewards in heaven!