Are You A Parent to A Child In The Autism Spectrum? Try Reading Chicken Soup for The Soul: Raising Kids On The Spectrum

       Last December of 2015, I received the most perfect gift that anybody could give me for Christmas. At that time my daughter's diagnosis was still very fresh to me and the Autism diagnosis kept ringing in my ears. I was very busy with non-stop hovering on what to do. Learning the things that I could do at home to reinforce her therapy sessions, immersing myself with Google information, and succumbing to grief when I am alone were my favorite past time. Yes, I was grieving. Grieving for the loss of my daughter's future when her life is still about to start. I was crying for the dreams that I have for her that would only remain in my dreams. I was mourning for the teacup parties and the mother-daughter shopping time that would never happen. I was in pain, yet I had to be strong for her, so in those moments when doubt and uncertainty would start creeping in to my mind, I turned to busying myself with finding a solution or a miraculous cure. That made me very exhausted. 

       It was after our annual Christmas party at the Light of Jesus community that my friend handed me a book wrapped in fancy paper. When I opened the gift, I was almost in tears at the thought that someone understood how I felt and knew how I needed consolation. The gift was a book called Chicken Soup for The Soul: Raising Kids on the Spectrum. Maybe it was the look on my face that made her say 'am I not the best gift giver?' and yes, I did admit (not only for the sake of friendship) that she was.

       At first I vowed to read one story daily but I could not help myself but to read more than I promised myself. The book not only gave me hope but some ideas that helped me devise plans and activities that we could try out. I held on to the hope that other parents from the book had and borrowed strength from their experiences. I realized that I was not alone in parenting a child with autism and that some difficulties that I had were no match to some of theirs. I had a glimpse of the probabilities of what I have to face in the future and got myself prepared ahead of time. I prepared both for the good and the bad but mostly held on to the good that gave me hope. I realized that we are still at the beginning of the journey and my daughter can still do a lot of things and accomplish a lot of things. Yes, she might have some limitations but given the resources and opportunity, I am sure that she will be able to do it. 

       Today, somehow I already made my own formula of doing things. My daughter has improved tremendously, but again, we are still at the start of the journey. We will still be going through a lot of things and face many obstacles, but the inspiration that I got from this book will last me a lifetime and if I ever feel the need to refresh and renew then I could always go back and read my favorite pages. To Cherry, my friend, the best gift giver...I will forever be grateful! :)