HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

By Kim Stagliano

(Here's the longer Huffington Post version: CLICK.)

Happy Father's Day to the Dads who've stuck by their kids and their wives. To the single Dads who do it all and who work overtime for their children. To the Grandfathers who donate their time and money and knowledge to help their grandchildren. To the men who've learned now to make killer GFCF smoothies and who are willing to wake up at 1:00am to administer MB12 shots when Mom can't bear to do it. To the men who hold onto their child during a meltdown - while Mom grabs the activated charcoal. To the men who miss T-ball and soccer practices, instead going to speech therapy and social skills groups. To the men who have not given up hope that one day, they will get that kiss from their son or daughter, and so much more.

Thank you to The National Autism Association for this beautiful ad. And thank you to all of you Fathers.

Comments

[Randy]

Today as I left my son's school, right after dropping him off with his aid, I walked a very short distance behind a young man and his very young son - probably 4 or 5 years old - hand in hand down the sidewalk, engaged in some pretty serious conversation about life, judging by his amazement at his Dad's apparent great knowledge about all things that matter (to a 4 or 5 year old boy). I watched how this little guy looked up at Dad, eyes glued, taking in every word of the answers to all his important questions.

There was that incredible pain again - witnessing what was stolen from my son (and me) and knowing there are years that we will never get back (he is 11 now). Some days, like today, an innocent and simple example of "typical" comes out of the blue, in the form of father and son, and for some reason, at that particular point in time, it hits so hard that I find it hard to function. I don't feel strong, or great, or anything except for the wind being knocked out of me - by a typical little boy walking and talking with his Dad.

Every autism Dad reading this knows this feeling.

Knowing that there are other Dads who not only get through this, but past it, and keep on fighting, working, writing, posting, walking, running, blogging, researching, and so much more - for all our kids - is literally keeping me sane.

From one Dad to all those Dad's who go way above and beyond - thank you.

[L Rupp]

Don't forget the Grandpa's too!

My dad has done "poop duty" more times than I can count. He's handled the violent fits when I need a break, hauled a screaming/kicking kid off the beach endless times, babysat when needed, takes the OCD in stride, feeds the child who won't eat - I could go on and on. He spreads the word about treatments and recovery to anyone that will listen. He is more than 1,000 miles away, but he has been with me every step of the way on this journey.

[Kelli Ann Davis]

I'm weeping -- the ad (Lori McIlwain's creative genius?), Kim's intro, and then Tanner's dad (again).

Talk about a Triple Whammy.

[Life's not fair]

"To the men who miss T-ball and soccer practices, instead going to speech therapy and social skills groups."

This one broke my heart.

[Tanner's Dad]

Father’s Day and Autism talk at church.

In the last few weeks and months an autistic child was banned from a church in Minnesota,

Voted out of his kindergarten class in Florida,

found walking down the middle of Main Street in the early morning hours in Danville IL

Maced, pepper sprayed, tasered and killed in Des Plaines by police officers not able to communicate in Desplaines IL

These are a few real life examples of the nightmares we have.

Tanner had some issues but he regressed. He was able to speak, eat, interact, and ride his bike. But something happened that suddenly took his voice away

“My name is Tanner. My name is Tanner.” Were his last words the morning of July 4th six years ago.

My thoughts about speaking this morning are many. The reason I thought we should testify is to educate about something that will effect us all, help raise the level of understanding about Tanner and Autism, and let you all know that when you are impacted by this in your family we are there for you as support, help, and comfort.

This is an epidemic that has been ignored by the medical community, education, insurance, and the Government. Support, therapies, and funding have been virtually nonexistent for these children

We realize victory in very small steps at a time and praise the Lord for each one

When Tanner reaches for your hand.

When Tanner smiles and looks you in the eye.

When he says Hi appropriately to a friend.
And for Father’s Day the first sentence in six years Last week… “Hi Daddy”
Thank you again for your ongoing support and understanding.

Happy Father's Day to all...

[Robin Nemeth]

This ad made me smile AND cry. And I'm not even a dad--I hope that's ok and doesn't mean there's something wrong with me...