 Francesco Salerno I see you. You are in the grocery store with a cart full of beige food and a small child mouthing the bag of carrots that you are quietly trying to wrestle from him, should passersby look on and wonder why a child, at least the age of five, might be chewing on your produce. It's early morning, just after school should have begun. That might have been enough for me to know you; to know your story, but you're giving more in these moments as I watch you from my spot in line at the pharmacy. You are in the diaper aisle. The far end where they keep the biggest diapers. The frown on your face tells me you are discouraged that they stopped at size six. Your boy can barely squeeze into them and they are useless through the night. I only recently left the diaper aisle myself. I haven't forgotten. It hurts. I was you. I am you.
You might have cried but you had already cried today when the school called and told you he needed to be picked up because he was flailing in the classroom, or was it thrashing? Maybe, he was biting, again. It didn't matter, to you. You simply set the laundry aside and accepted the fact that you would skip your shower again today and drove to the school. The tears burned behind your eyes as you forced yourself to collect him before they spilled out. You wouldn't give them the satisfaction. You walked away amid their judgmental stares and led your boy to the car. He was happy now, and you helped him into his car seat and took your spot in the front to cry. This is where you always cried. You drove, secure that your sunglasses hid most of your sorrow should he ever take notice. He never takes notice. Now you are here, searching in vain for diapers for your five year old boy. You won't notice me. I have no children with me. I am furniture, old wallpaper; I am scenery to you. You take care not to make eye contact with anyone so you'll miss my knowing smile in an effort to avoid the frowns, the stares, the goddamn glares. 'Fucking autism', you think. Then you quickly feel guilty because you've been told so many times that your son should be celebrated and if you lament his difficulties or delays you shame all that he is or can be. My smile contains no pity or disdain. You'd recognize it, I know you would. It says: "Fucking autism." Your peripheral is strong, but you force yourself to focus on the task while my smile turns into a sigh. You won't look up; you are afraid to look up. You free the carrots. He screams. It's shrill today. You quickly hand him back his prize. You're thin. I guess we choose different ways to cope with stress. I am running very late for work and willing this line to move when it hits me that as much as I wish to stay at home with my daughters, the days would offer no less stress or worry. I wish I could walk over to you and simply say: "These diapers are bullshit, aren't they?" You might laugh. You might know how I know that by the look on my face, the mess of my hair and the prescription in my hand. You might know my whole story today, too. Do you know I am going to go home and show my kids Peter Pan on Netflix because it is literature inspired? I consider that a win for this evening because my day has been rough, too, and it's not yet ten am. I cried on the way to the drugstore. Only because my daughter slapped my face when I tried to buckle her into the car seat. She was angry because I don't usually drive her to daycare. She screamed at me for the short drive and I cried because I wanted one morning without screaming, without tears. I now know, that when I pick her up at the end of the day I will be told she had a 'rough' day. She will have been non-complaint and angry. She might hit. She will certainly cry. She will make some lovely, underpaid, under appreciated daycare worker, or therapist, or teacher, sigh and question her career choice. The thought made me cry hard. So, as I stand here taking in your morning and re-living my own, I want to tell you that you are not alone. It's safe to look up now and then.
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 Fabulous art by Marion Peck. Click and buy and send to me. Thanks. I often allow Kate and Oakley to answer the many questions I receive regarding autism. This time I decided I would take a turn answering a few questions from our "fans". I think you'll be impressed by my articulation and restraint. (all questions are from actual emails received by goteamkate.com) Is Autism just the 'flavour of the week' for diagnoses? Don't be so fucking stupid. Diagnoses of neurological disorders don't run on trend like a goddamn nail polish colour. The number of autism diagnoses are rising because the number of children born with autism is rising you fucking asshole. Read a fucking book. Why should I give special treatment to your kid? No body does that for me. What about me? First of all, that's the stupidest thing I have ever heard you fucking narcissistic prick. My child struggles to comprehend the world and each day can be devastatingly overwhelming. You are a selfish and annoying arsehole who peaked in high school. What the hell can a dog do to help a kid with autism? I think the whole thing is bullshit. You listen to me you piece of shit. That dog is more of a man than you'll ever be. If you ever question the abilities and worth of my daughter's fucking awesome autism service dog again I will make sure his numerous fans know where you live and each one will school your weak ass on the benefits of these dogs. Frankly, I am sick of hearing about autism. Do you ever talk about anything else? Go Fuck Yourself. Today, Kate attends Welcome to Kindergarten and to borrow a phrase from a friend, I am feeling fragile. I am relieved that Grace will be there for her. I am so grateful for that kid!
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