I have slowly grown to realize that my life is a lot like a Pokemon story. I have been lucky enough to be gifted quite a special Pokemon and one day my little Mudkip will turn into a giant Swampert. I am a Pokemon trainer and no two Pokemons are alike. Each Pokemon has a different power, skill set, personality, likes and sensory differences; all we need to do is have the patience and help give him the tools he needs to become the best little Pokemon that he can.
In turn my little Pokemon teaches me about life, having more patience, tolerance, acceptance, appreciating the beauty and difference in every little thing and in every person around me, becoming more observant of the feelings of people around me, and looking outside my own self.
My journey with Autism has been a life lesson for me. I learn something new from my son every day. He is my personal little super hero, he can waltz down the street skipping, spinning, rocking, flapping, singing, clapping and making loud noises for everyone to hear and not give a single fuck about what anyone around him thinks. Let them stare, he don’t care!
Wouldn’t we all wish to live with that kind of confidence and freedom? I’m done trying to put my boy in a little box. I will support him and train him to be the best Pokemon that he can be and through the tears, the bumps, the bruises, the meltdowns and all the sleepless nights, we will smile through it and just take it one day at a time.
Current Pokemon Abilities:
- He can put on his own clothing.
- Although, they may be backwards, but I’ll take it.
- He can mostly use the bathroom by himself since the age of 6.
- Although, he misses occasionally, pulls his pants down way before getting to the bathroom and has a hard time wiping himself but, he’s going to the bathroom.
- He has learned to brush and floss his teeth.
- Although, He does need help to get those back teeth but he’s brushing.
- He can nod “yes” say “ya” and shake his head to communicate “no”.
- Although, he gets them mixed up sometimes but he is trying.
- He is currently learning the alphabet on a computer keyboard.
- Although, he hates it and isn’t able to write well.
- He can follow a simple daily schedule.
- Although, he often goes off course.
- He can choose and request a few small things from his ipad through pictures.
- Although, he’d prefer to try and get them himself.
- He does not just start screaming like he used to when told no, or trying to communicate a want or need, but does try and make random noises to communicate instead.
- Although, he still has meltdowns.
- He has made many friends at school even though he can’t talk and they’ve all learned to accept him just the way he is, and show him so much support every day, these kids are autism aware!
- Although it worries us every day that this may not always be the case.
- He loves his friends and family unconditionally.
- Although it may not always seem so.
We as parents are finally learning to see through Jun’s eyes… although we have a very long way to go.