A boy who isn't afraid to give mama giant bear hugs. every. single. day. Still.
A boy who has an unrelenting passion for all things living.
A boy who keeps the tidiest room of any child I know.
A boy who dreams of being a hydroelectric engineer.
A boy who makes me giggle.
And a boy who was diagnosed with NVLD (non-verbal learning disorder) just 8 shorts months ago, a form of autism classified in the Asperger's family.
This month is National Autism Month. A time to bring awareness in honor of all children who live with autism- on all levels of the spectrum.
Today I applaud my little man. A boy who continually strives to be the best version of himself. Tackling life head on, full throttle. Defying odds and labels. And making his mark known.
I couldn't be more proud of the strides he has taken and the struggles he has worked through. There are many obstacles in his life, but he is a remarkable human being.
I feel privileged to be a part of his life. And I would be lying if I didn't say I was just a little proud of the person he is becoming.
He truly is reason to celebrate. So, please join me.
This is such a beautiful post. Wow. And such insightful and thoughtful photos to tell your little man's story. I had to read, and re-read I was so captivated. You have every right to be a proud mama.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos Alicia and a great reason to celebrate.
ReplyDeleteHe sounds like a really remarkable little man. I can imagine how proud you are of him.
ReplyDeleteAnd what mama wouldn't love a kid with a tidy room? :)
What a wonderful, handsome young man. Such a beautiful post - I love the music touch with it. Great pictures, once again.
ReplyDeletebeautiful words and photos.
ReplyDeleteHe is a beautiful boy and reason to celebrate but don't celebrate Autism. It causes kids to struggle, make learning difficult, social situations uncomfortable and living in the "regular" world difficult. Autism is very hard for kids that are severely affected. (also, it's AsPergers)
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet and loving post!!!!
ReplyDeleteHe has grown so much (through the pictures from when I first started following you!!!!)
To anonymous: First of all, I can appreciate the place your words come from. Yes, there are some that are more severe and it makes life more challenging, but I think it is good to pause and celebrate their strengths. Not just the struggles. Every child is of worth and today I am celebrating the wonderful person my little man is in spite of his diagnosis.
ReplyDeleteYou have a beautiful son! What a gorgeous profile he has. I have a daughter on the spectrum, and while I don't necessarily celebrate autism, I celebrate who she is and what she has become every. single. day. Her 7th birthday is next week and you've inspired me to get some photos of her!
ReplyDeleteThank you Lynn for sharing your words. When I say I am celebrating- I am not celebrating a disease, but rather a little boy that is making strides and progress daily. Teaching me. Helping me to see the world differently. And letting the world know that he is a beautiful person even with the obstacles and challenges before him.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry that some folks have missed the point of this post: CELEBRATING YOUR SON. He truly is amazing, Lish. This is such a beautiful tribute to him. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat on earth is that in his hands shot number 3!?! You have so handsome guy there. Now you can tell him that other side of the world "girls" are admiring him:)
ReplyDeleteI am in love with this post!! A lot of people are being diagnosed with Autism more more these days. I am participating in a walk in my county next weekend, so I am helping to support this cause!! Very nice post!!
ReplyDeleteAlicia,
ReplyDeleteAt the risk of starting a riot on your blog (which is anything but my intent), why not celebrate/embrace - my nieces are legally blind, one has ADHD and one Asperger's and I myself have a progressive neurological disorder - my niece's, like your son, are amazing and teach me more about the world and what's important everytime I am with them. Does that mean our lives are without struggle - absolutely not! I say celebrate because I have a debilitating, some might say awful disorder, and am regularly asked what if I was "normal" - "if" I was normal I would not be the person I am, we are all products of the challenges and circumstances which we cross and overcome, your son, my nieces and I would not be the persons we are today without those hurdles and I gotta say -that would be a shame because he is, my nieces are and I am awesome people! It never ceases to amaze me the connotations that society impresses upon those who are different and by whose definition "quality of life" overlooks those who may not be "like you" but have such incredible resilence and talents.
Emily
egaverette@cs.com
What beautiful pics, Alicia! And what exactly is that things he's opening up?
ReplyDeleteYes, Emily! I couldn’t have said it better myself. “…we are all products of the challenges and circumstances which we cross and overcome, your son, my nieces and I would not be the persons we are today without those hurdles and I gotta say -that would be a shame because he is, my nieces are and I am awesome people!” Beautifully said.
ReplyDeleteI think he is who he is. Regardless of why. And we all have struggles and challenges of one kind or another. Doesn’t mean I don’t want to cry sometimes, but all I can do is love him and try to be the best mom I know how. Thank you for sharing this wonderful message.
what a total stud that boy of yours is- he seems like a sweet sweet boy. Boys just melt my heart for some reason. Have missed reading your blog. I have lots of catching up to do. Thanks for checking in with me. hope all is well.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Such a beautiful post. I can feel your love for him jumping out from your post. He certainly is a reason to celebrate.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your lovely comment on my blog xxx
Wonderful and handsome inside and out...you are truly blessed!
ReplyDeleteThose are beautiful pictures. I hope that he one day becomes a hydroelectric engineer like he wants to be.
ReplyDeleteyour photography is incredible, but the subject must make it easier, huh? sweet kid.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to your great son! You have discribed your son in such wonderul words! I can tell he is a real blessing for you and I know you are wonderful Mother to him!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos as always!
Little Man inspires me to be the best version of myself! Bravo to him! (Some days, the ugly comes out & I need a role model to aspire to.)
ReplyDeleteAww. I love this and these photos! Amazing!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a wonderful post. The pictures are gorgeous, and really highlight the words behind them. There is so much to celebrate in your son!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post! I had a student with Asperger's syndrome one year. It was one of the more challenging years but most rewarding because he (the boy with asperger's) and I learned so much about our individual abilities & strengths. It was the best year I had teaching to date.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'd like to add, that I'm not usually a music fan on blogs - but yours.....love the playlist. Easy to listen to. Easy to read and listen at the same time. :-) I think I'm converting my perspective on music. :-)
Your son is so adorable and his personality shines! (also your camera is amazing!) He definitely has some amazing strengths and like I said on my response to your comment, that diagnosis is key to helping him and it does not define him.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tribute! Sounds like he gives you a lot to be proud of :)
ReplyDeleteAlicia!
ReplyDeleteThese are some stunning photos. Your son is so handsome.
I have a child with learning disabilites too.
What an honor to raise these special children.
What a beautiful post with beautiful pictures :)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful! I loved this post, a lot!
ReplyDeleteHe is SO handsome!
ReplyDeleteLOVE your new header, Alicia.
Lovely new header. I enjoy looking at life through your lens and your heart. I've never heard of NVLD. I have a grandson (2) who is language delayed--just getting it checked out.
ReplyDeleteGREAT Ode to the little Man! Love it. He's so beautiful...don't tell him I said that. I'm sure he's at an age where that totally wouldn't fly...HA! But really.....great photos. ;)
ReplyDeleteMy, my, my... I absolutely love this. Your shots are amazing and I love how you've celebrated your son.
ReplyDeleteLovely post. And that is one handsome boy! Just wait for him to be older...he's going to have girls swooning over him!
ReplyDeletewow! What a beautiful post and what amazing and gorgeous photos! I love your blog and your photography is just amazing!!
ReplyDeleteWhat great photos! And what a sweet son. And what a great way to remind all of Autism Awareness Month! :)
ReplyDeleteWOW first BRAVO on your pics, words and post. I have not had any autism in my family, but have seen small amounts in friend's children. I have caught myself lately talking about it though. And I always call them the "gifted" not the diseased or mental disorder, or anything to that nature. I truly believe GOD has brought all this gifts to us for a reason, and one day that will be answered for each of us. May GOB bless you and your family! And also may your son continue to thrive!! And... CHILDREN ARE ALWAYS A CELEBRATION!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post! I applaud your strength and positive attitude. You are blessed, mama.
ReplyDeleteI'm supposed to be commenting on Wordless Wednesday (which was GORGEOUS!!) but I had briefly seen this post earlier this week and was drawn back to it. Thank you for sharing this with us (and the visuals are, of course, stunning). Sending prayers and many warm thoughts your way as your family integrates this NVLD into your lives. He looks like a wonderful boy.
ReplyDeletebeautiful post. I loved every thing about it. What an incredible son you have! I have two children on the Spectrum and they are amazing. You're an inspiration and celebratng our children is the perfect thing to do. I'm following your blog now.:)
ReplyDelete