This Autism Journey

Hi! How are you? How are things going? Trying to make sense of what is going on in the world? You are not alone. I don’t have the answer, but I know we’re not in Kansas anymore! That’s for damn sure.

The amount of change that has occurred since January 20th is profound, astonishing, and disturbing.

It has me feeling shocked, anxious, worried, and uncertain.

Other than that, things are going great! (laughs to keep from crying).

Needless to say, it’s a lot. I can not find the words to explain how much this new level of uncertainty will affect my family. I just know that it will, and I’m not sure it will be for the good.

Nothing helps to shake this feeling of dread. Of course, Social media doesn’t help, and yet I find myself unable to look away. I follow several Facebook groups for students with IEPs, Autism, and Educational Advocacy. The two main trains of thought are “all this change is going to be great” and “we are doomed”. Are you getting that impression as well?

I lean more towards the “there’s no way of knowing which direction we are going ” Willy Wonka train of thought. Either way, I want off this ride.

Unfortunately, changes aren’t just happening on the federal level. My state has a large deficit, and cuts have been made that affect my children.

Many people, including myself, advocated and contacted our state representatives. As a result of this, the massive cuts to Disability Services were halted (YAY!!), but the 1% increase was eliminated (BOO!!).

Let’s Take Action

What can I do? I’m a big believer in we will be the ones that save ourselves. No Superman is coming to rescue us. It is us, the citizens of the United States, who will need to step up.

Joan Baez once said, “Action is the antidote to despair.” Boy, do those words ring true. It’s easy to get paralyzed by the fear of change and uncertainty. It’s easy to feel like nothing I do will make a difference. But that is a lie. What I do does make a difference, and here’s how you can too.

Call your state and federal representatives. Call them every day and let them know what your concerns are, how you would like for them to vote, what you disapprove of, and what they got right.

Don’t know their number? Here’s a link to get it: https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member. You can also Google the name of your representative for your state or county.

You can follow or get involved in a local advocacy group. I follow The Arc and its local chapter. Do as much as you can locally, as local decisions have the most impact on your family.

If there is a rally, attend. If there is a town hall, attend. School board meeting? Attend. Get in their faces and make it known what you care about and the actions you want to see taken.

Will all of your concerns be addressed? Probably not, but you will make them aware, and that is a good first step.

Squeaky wheels, people!! We gotta be squeaky!!

Educate yourself. If you hear something that elicits a fear response, educate yourself on that topic. Educate yourself on how decisions are made in your county, city, state, and district. Do not fear what you may learn. Knowledge is power.

Lastly, take care of yourself.

Laugh, sing, dance, take a walk, talk to a friend, take a vacation, create a village of support if you don’t have one, get out of the house, go to a Farmer’s Market, watch an old movie that makes you feel good, eat that piece of cake (moderation not depravation, is what I tell myself), whatever eases your stress, just take care of you.

If you take care of yourself, you will be able to take care of others and will have the fortitude to endure what is to come.

Let me know your thoughts, ideas, and how you are doing with all of … this.

Take care,

Heather