Who do you advocate for?
Autism moms came together by using their voices this month to demand justice for a child with autism who was abused at his school by a teaching assistant.
These stories are becoming too much. Children with disabilities are all too often being kicked off airplanes, out of restaurants or church, abused at school or in their own homes. Each new story stings as much as the last, like thousands of tiny papercuts while watching the evening news.
With each one, I glance at my bouncy, blue-eyed, happy, innocent boy. How could anyone ever treat a human that way?
With each story, I pull him in a little closer. Silently renewing my vow to protect him from the evils of this world.
The school district failed to hold this abuser accountable, but our voices were heard. The teaching assistant has resigned.
When people come together, change will happen.
The incident prompted one autism mom, a documentary filmmaker, to reach out to us bloggers to submit a photo of who we advocate for in our lives and communities. You can watch the video via the link below.
I am truly amazed by the power of community.
I also believe that ONE voice can make a difference.
Will you tell us who you advocate for? It can be anyone; a child, a student, a relative, or yourself! Tell us one thing that you wish people would know about this person. Post it in the comments below.
I’ll start. This brave boy. I want people to know that people with autism understand so much more than they may be able to express. They are human, they feel deeply.
So be kind, always.
link to video (you may have to copy and paste it to your browser):
Wilson's Climb 