Guest guest Posted August 7, 2000 Report Share Posted August 7, 2000 Hi everyone, When I came back from dropping Ian off, I read the newspaper. Leonard Pitts writes a column that appears weekly, and his column today was about his 4-year-old grandson, who is autistic. He wrote about how he feels about the whole thing (if anyone wants the article and can't find it in their local paper, let me know), and I felt driven to respond to him. This is the letter I just sent him: Dear Mr. Pitts, What a timely column for me to read today of all days! I have just returned from dropping my son off at sleepaway camp, where he'll be for the rest of this week. My son is 11, has Down syndrome and autism, a dual diagnosis that has only recently been accepted by the medical community. It is a difficult combination, because what works for one doesn't work for the other, and each disability affects the other in ways that make it different from the run-of-the-mill variety experienced by singly diagnosed children. Still, your column spoke to me. Within Ian's world view, he is a happy child, with simple needs. What makes him happy makes him very, very happy; what makes him sad makes him very, very sad. We live in a world of extremes with him, and sometimes this can be very difficult. I still struggle with the idea that his presence in my life is meant to teach me a lesson. I know that before he came along, I was one of the least patient people you could know, and being patient with him is a constant battle for me. I know he will be with me, in one way or another, for the rest of my life, my responsibility in a way that my other children will not be. This seemingly endless burden can sometimes feel overwhelming. And yet, today I took him to sleepaway camp. It's a special needs camp, run by the Rotary Club, and has been working with children like Ian for ages. They know what they're doing. He is in good hands. He is having a growing up experience I could never have imagined even a year ago. I suppose I am too. Thank you for writing your column. Sincerely, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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