Remember how I was worried about Colin getting sympathy applause after singing his Thanksgiving song? Some of this has played out. Many people have spoken about how wonderful Colin was "considering . . ."
It's all right. Most everyone has been kind and supportive. I know they mean well. I have been very honest about Colin and autism. I have felt it's only fair to him and the people he interacts with to understand that what they get when communicating with him may not be what they expect.
It's a little hard, though. Why couldn't he be good just for having been good?
Than I talked to someone at a holiday party last night who does not know about Colin. He greeted me with this opener:
"Whoever started the standing ovation for Colin should not have done that. It made it difficult for the others."
What -- as Colin's mother -- should my response be to this?
(A) Oh! It was me! (It was not me.) I just can't help standing for my children!
(B) Wasn't that awful?! I am having Colin write a letter of apology to each and every participant!
(C) What an excellent point! Why don't you come over and explain that to him. You'll need to start from the beginning because he neither noticed or cared, really.
I'm not sure. I said," Uh-huh. Excuse me."
No comments:
Post a Comment