Four years ago, we announced to our friends and family that our son, Dalen, had autism. Four years ago, Dalen could not communicate. Dalen could not be around strangers nor around large crowds. Autism had him. Autism didn’t let him be a normal baby, a normal toddler, and then a normal preschooler. He was scared, anxious, timid, and quite frankly, difficult. Since Dalen was three years old, he has been in countless hours of schooling, therapies and other support groups to help him basically be “normal”. Dalen has turned a HUGE corner with all of the countless efforts and love from his amazing teachers, therapists, and other support team members. However, Dalen is still not “normal”. Dalen likes to eat his hot dogs like corn on the cob. Dalen plays every game on his baseball team as if it were bottom of the 9th, tied ball game, 2 outs, runner on third, full count, and he’s just hit in the winning ball game. Dalen cries when Nemo’s mom gets eaten by a barracuda, and not because he’s scared, but because he’s genuinely sad for Nemo (and Marlin of course). Dalen even cried when Ace Ventura dropped the raccoon. Dalen like his button ups to be just that… all the way buttoned up. Dalen likes his shirts tucked in. Dalen does NOT like to miss turning in his homework. Dalen reads to his baby brother to sooth him when he’s crying for mommy. Dalen feels better in a stressful situation with a tight hug. Dalen can make friends with anyone, even when they don’t want to be friends with him. He’s never discouraged by kids that try to hurt his feelings, because Dalen is always so happy he doesn’t even know they’re being mean. Dalen has a heart of gold, and it leads everything he does, and every way he is. No, Dalen is not “normal”. He’s everything but “normal” Dalen is the most (A)mazing, (U)nique, (T)alented, (I)ntelligent, (S)Sensitive, (T)ender, (I)ncredibly (C)aring Kid I know. And I hope he teaches his little sister and brother to be as not “normal” as he. What’s more, the friends and family that have accepted him, and always supported him, are anything but normal. Year after year you guys wear your blue, take your pictures, walk in the Autism Walks, donate money… YOU are the support that keeps us going. As a token of our appreciation for your support, (and as an Idea from his Nina Kika Lyn), we are holding a contest: For anyone who wears blue tomorrow, takes a picture of themselves, and tags Erika and myself in the picture, we will enter your name into a drawing to be held on April 3rd for $50 CASH! So, don’t forget to Light It Up Blue tomorrow, April 2nd for World Autism Awareness Day!And tag us in your pictures!! Starting at 8 am tomorrow, I will post this post every hour until everyone of my friends helps support Autism Awareness, and everyone has a chance to win the $50. Thank you for all of your continuing support, Good Luck, and God Bless!
Posted on: Wed, 02 Apr 2014 07:10:06 +0000
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