I like the flower sprouting through the cracks in the sidewalk analogy. The beauty of the flower is obvious, but what does the sidewalk represent? I think the answer is less obvious here.
Most will assure the sidewalk is the problem of autism, but I don't feel that is right. Autism isn't a problem. To me the sidewalk represents the faulty perception of autism being a problem. The sidewalk is the negative beliefs everyone shares about autism including parents, family, friends, Autism support groups, society as a whole. Far too many people believe autism itself is the problem, and far too few recognize that our acceptance of autism is the real problem.
My son was always a beautiful flower. My failure to accept him as he was acted as the sidewalk choking the life out of him. I was not alone in my failure. I was aided by everyone around me in failing him.
When my heart finally opened and I accepted him exactly as he is and didn't want him to be any different, the sidewalk cracked, and he truly blossomed.
The analogy of the flower through the cracks growing into something new is so beautiful... and so accurate to someone living with autism in their family like me. I'm adding this book to my always-growing list. I'd love to write about it on my FSF here.
I like the flower sprouting through the cracks in the sidewalk analogy. The beauty of the flower is obvious, but what does the sidewalk represent? I think the answer is less obvious here.
Most will assure the sidewalk is the problem of autism, but I don't feel that is right. Autism isn't a problem. To me the sidewalk represents the faulty perception of autism being a problem. The sidewalk is the negative beliefs everyone shares about autism including parents, family, friends, Autism support groups, society as a whole. Far too many people believe autism itself is the problem, and far too few recognize that our acceptance of autism is the real problem.
My son was always a beautiful flower. My failure to accept him as he was acted as the sidewalk choking the life out of him. I was not alone in my failure. I was aided by everyone around me in failing him.
When my heart finally opened and I accepted him exactly as he is and didn't want him to be any different, the sidewalk cracked, and he truly blossomed.
The analogy of the flower through the cracks growing into something new is so beautiful... and so accurate to someone living with autism in their family like me. I'm adding this book to my always-growing list. I'd love to write about it on my FSF here.