My lovable son, D., who was diagnosed with Asperger's last year has struggled for years with communication and social deficits. He recently told me, "I hate all kids and don't have to be bothered with any of them." My heart hurt when he said this, because I know that by nature my son is sweet, caring, and very socially interested; he has simply had difficulty with his attempts at making friends. When he said this, I told him I understood how hurt he was because of past experiences, but I wanted him to continue to hold on to what I told him a few years ago (that God would send him a friend).
Well, it was a beautiful day here in the Big City, kind of cool, but still a beautiful partly sunny day. I took my son to the park, and he was thoroughly enjoying himself. He started to play with another boy and was having a great time, but the boy had to leave along with the other children he had come to the park with. I proceeded to go into the park district building to find out the availability of spring classes for my boy; I left him outside playing for a few minutes on the sliding board.
When I returned from my short errand, I saw a boy sitting with his mom on a park bench. I almost passed them by but decided to sit on the end of their bench. I spoke to the mom and her 13-year-old son. The mom told me she also had a 9-year-old son (same age as my boy). We began to talk, and we discovered that both our children were diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, mine with an articulation disorder, and cognitive giftedness along with Asperger's--her son with ADHD and bipolar along with his diagnosis of Asperger's. We also discovered that my son and hers had started to play together. Later my son told me he asked her son if he wanted to play; they began to play and her son told mine, "I'm different from you. I'm Jewish." My boy responded, "That's okay. Jewish people believe in God." After that, they got along famously.
Since that time, we have met at the park on two separate occasions for a play date, and we also have had dinner with our new acquaintances. The mom told me that she has six children, four are older and do not live with her--but the two youngest ones, the 13 year old and the 9 year old live with her. This Jewish mother shared with me that she had been homeless for seven years and only recently (September 2008) had become housed through a housing program.
She and I both agreed that divine providence brought us and our children together. God is awesome, and my son's faith in Him has been strengthened. This was certainly a happy homeschooling day for my son and me.
Shalom.
Comments
Jun. 18, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by bbullard
Hi, Ms. Phyllis, I knew you weren't blogging regularly, but I still try to pop over and keep up with you from time to time. I am so sorry to hear of the year you've had. I have at least two blogging friends who have been out of their homes in the last year, both in the same area of the country in fact. (Maybe you know Angela of FruitfulFamily?)
Anyway, I applaud your perspective and your determination to homeschool no matter what the circumstances. What an awesome testimony, and what a restoration is in store for you on the other side of this trial. I look forward to your praise report and I will stop by more often to see as you post of God's awesomeness (even when it may not look quite so awesome right now).
God bless you and your son.
Oct. 10, 2009 - What a blessing!
Posted by ThriceBlessed
My son has his own differences, we don't have a diagnosis, but I suspect Aspergers as a possibility since it seems to run in my family. We do know he has an auditory processing disorder, a language delay, dyspraxia, and possible dyslexia. He doesn't have a lot of friends, at church there are a group of kids he thinks are his friends, but I see them making fun of him when he isn't looking. They also hide from him, sending him to get something and then running off to hide in the woods around the church, then they use the woods to go along the outside boundary of the church property, and then sit on the other side of the property and watch, laughing, while my son searches for them. It hurts my heart. I've been praying for a good friend for him also.
You have received a great blessing in this friend for your son. I am rejoicing with you even as I grieve my own son's lack.