“They have wonderful dispositions. They don’t throw tantrums at all, ” said my FOF friend about her three-year old twin grandsons. We’d all love to have tantrum-free children, except my pal’s grandsons have something we don’t want any children to have: Autism.
The boys’ condition was diagnosed earlier this year and now they undergo hours and hours of therapy every week and will, understandably, attend a special school. “They don’t talk but they’re learning to point. I feel worst for my son, that he has to go through all of this. He is so worried that they won’t stay happy once they become more aware of their surroundings,” my friend said.
Most parents completely agree with the adage, “You’re only as happy as your unhappiest child.” Every single one of us would trade our child’s pain for our own.
It is ironic that the autistic twins are happy in their own worlds, yet the people who love them are suffering emotionally.
We all want to take away the suffering of those we love, but often the best we can do is to make it a bit more bearable. I have great admiration for my friend’s attitude and practical approach to her son’s ordeal. No doubt, it will be a long one. She helped him locate the resources he needs to care for his children. She spends lots of time with him and his family. She is an emotional support.
The love between parent and child is indescribable. It’s indescribable, indestructible, and indispensable.
