In Their Own Words – Not Your Average Joy Ride
This “In Their Own Words,” is written by Jo Ashline. This post is about her younger son’s relationship with his older brother, who has severe autism.
You
will always
be
in the driver’s seat
the steering wheel steady in your hands
chosen without your consent
but you
honor your duties
steering with integrity
and
purpose
He
will
always
be
your passenger
counting on your guidance
as you commandeer
his safe arrival
something you promise
just out of
the
purity of your
heart
You are
going somewhere
and
it only matters
that you go
together
the wind
blowing through
your
hair
the sun
shining
behind you
the misunderstood world
at your fingertips
Your heart
outgrew your
body
the day you took his hand in yours
and helped him buckle
his seatbelt
You head towards
a place
where love
transcends
speech
and
everyday expectations
the journey
possible
only because
you
wouldn’t go
anywhere
without
him
A marvelous
pair
of
everyday heroes
kicking up dirt
as
they drive
towards
something
incredible
It
is not
your average
joyride
“In Their Own Words” is a series within the Autism Speaks blog which shares the voices of people who have autism, as well as their loved ones. If you have a story you wish to share about your personal experience with autism, please send it to editors@autismspeaks.org. Autism Speaks reserves the right to edit contributions for space, style and content. Because of the volume of submissions, not all can be published on the site.
That was beautiful.i have a 14 year old daughter who is gifte&talented who looks over her 7 ,high function austic sister to shield from the ” mean” people.But the funny part is that the 7 year old protects her 5 year old from harm.we wonder what will happen when the 7 year turns 16 and the 5 turns 14 ,when go driving together.will one drive and the other navigate?i believe that without family especially sibs
sorry.without family support even high fuction austics will not thrive.
YES THEY WILL THRIVE, THERE IS OTHER WAYS OF SUPPORT THAN JUST FAMILY.
Yes, they can thrive. With the right supports in place, anything is possible. Remain positive.
Truly beautiful
I wept buckets!
You have beautiful sons!
I could not even read this aloud without weeping…thanks for sharing
I have never in my life read something so close to my heart. My four year old is PDD and my 2 year old is typical. They are each others world, they are best friends.
My four year old son is PDD as well and my 18 month old is typical also. The only difference is that the 4 year old rejects the little one more than I am comfortable with. I hope this changes. You’re very blessed they love one another so much.
omg im cryin so much that was just so beautifull i ave a 16 year old who is neuro typical and a 6 year old who is autistic and they really dont like each other the 16 year old thinks his brother is a pest u ave two presious kids like i ave two but for differnt reasons i think
WOW!!!!!!!! I love this! Thank you! you are doing an amazing job with your children
gorgeous children…im certain they got that from their aunt…Jo, you are painfully talented, not to mention an extraordinary mentor to these little guys. keep doing what youre doing…kocham!!
Truly beautiful.
This is such a beautiful poem. I have always said my special daughter (20) is Gods gift to her brother (21) and sister (17). Because of their sister, they are the most loving, compassionate, non-judgemental people. Life is not always easy for them but they have their sister to help them keep things in perspective.
I read this and it touched me.For my son is autistic as well as blind. And it is that way with my daughters one a year older the other a year younger then him. They are always looking out for him and helping him. Though he is much bigger in many ways and stronger then them. He is their brother and will stand for him in every way. You have two beautiful boys God Bless you’s.
Yes,I do agree with you ,laura.my daughter has gone from moderate austic to residual with lots of help.but I do not let up with the school.I am always asking the why.i tell them” because we worked too hard to get her to this point.I feel the future is very bright for daughter,who wants to be an animal researcher.
so beautiful. my 5year old son has autism and is sandwiched between his 7year old and 2year old brothers. even at 1 1/2, we started noticing the ‘baby’ taking care of his big brother. thank you for writing this…
Thank you everyone! I feel so blessed to be their mommy; they have taught me so much about love, compassion, patience…..
I also blog about our lives on http://www.asweetdoseoftruth.blogspot, as well as OCFamily.com (Autism in the OC). I am Jomamma02 on twitter.
Thanks again for reading my poem!
beautiful !
I too have an older son with Autisim who has a younger brother. I cried at the familiar feelings your poem conjured up within me. Currently my older son is rejecting the younger one. I do hope this changes. I want to see the beauty of two amazing little people bond through family experiences. Thank you for sharing, it was beautiful.
Beautifully written … we also have 2 sons, the older with autism
Mark Zulewski
This poem is incredible, I have two boys, the younger had PDD and his older brother always helping him in every way. I couldn’t help not crying because it remains me of my two little ones, my boys are ten months apart there three and four years old, this poem is heart touching, God bless you.