My Rainbow Child
As my son turns 5 today, I can’t help but marvel at how far we (my family and I) have come on this journey since our son’s diagnosis. I’m grateful to God for his goodness and mercy in our lives. The bible indeed says that God does not give us more than we can handle. ‘The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him and I am helped (Ps. 28 vs 7).
Today I chose not to reflect on my Son’s diagnosis rather to focus on how brilliant my little super hero is. He is such a happy child, caring and filled with love. I chose to focus on the little victories, the areas that he is flourishing in and celebrate every little achievements. I chose to constantly speak words of life, love and affirmation over my family and submerge myself in the promises of God.
Having an Autism diagnosis is not a chid’s identity. Its not a determinant of who the child will grow to be either, that is all God. However, don’t think there is a different, better CHILD ‘hiding’ behind the autism, this is YOUR CHILD. I chose to love the child in front of me, encourage his strength, celebrate his quirks, and improve his weaknesses, the way I would his other sibling.
My Son has taught me love needs no words. We have failed to let autism dictate how we live our lives. My rainbow child, he is so full of surprises. When he smiles you can’t help but smile. He has that infectious smile that makes you forget all that is wrong with the world. He fills me with so much joy. He has touched my life in ways that I never imagined possible. He has caused me to slow down and enjoy the simple facts of life. He has taught me the virtues of patience and how to hand it all to God. In his simple way, he has taught me to appreciate life more.
Today, I celebrate this rainbow child who dreams in colours and moves to a divine rhythm. My God’s gift. My miracle child.
This is my ASD story.
Written by Solape Azazi
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