Struggle

We are a family with a child with autism and intellectual disabilities.  He has sensory issues and difficulties communicating.  He has some OCD tendencies so he builds patterns and routines in his head and can’t share them with us. Consequently, sometimes we unintentionally interrupt his plans. Learning does not come easily for him. He needs supports, visual aids, lists, reminders and help to do the tasks of daily life.

It is a struggle, for him and for us.  For me, for Dave and for Will, there are struggles in daily life to support Michael and make sure we are achieving our own goals. We’re balancing the needs of four adult humans in our house this summer and it is a lot.

Don’t get me wrong, we love our Mikey! He can light up a room with one huge grin or a contagious belly laugh. The kid is magical. He is endearing, loving, kind and sweet.

But there are a lot of things that are challenging for him, so we struggle as a family, and we continue get stronger.  We’ve tackled the struggle of today and we’ve built up strength in the process. Now, we’re tougher and more ready to meet whatever struggle that tomorrow might bring.

“Where there is no struggle, there is no strength.” – Oprah Winfrey

If you have a little one and you’re wondering if it gets easier, I would say no. It doesn’t get easier, but the challenges evolve as the child grows. In surviving every tough day , you’re so much stronger and wiser than you were at the start. It doesn’t get easier, but you get more capable of handling the challenges.

So in the midst of the struggle, just know you’re getting stronger! Keep at it!