Saturday, August 1, 2009

This is what happened

Last week I bought Sarah Blasko's new album, As Day Follows Night. I love it, it's given me real pleasure this week. It's like a dark forest and when I close my eyes I'm there, in the Grimm's fairytale, an imaginative world away.

I was going to write something frippy about it but the words keep evaporating. You see, my son was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder about two months ago and with this knowledge came sadness and worry, a different kind of worry than before which was just about colds and eating vegies and whether he had his hat on.

Now I worry about lots of things, but mostly whether he'll be happy in this life.

I've debated for weeks whether to write anything about it here because this blog is frippy and my son isn't. But if I don't say anything about it I don't seem to be able to say much at all.

So there it is.

5 comments:

Mad Cat Lady said...

One of my sister's friend's son is autistic. He's gorgeous. How do you spell aspbergers? I should go look it up. He was diagnosed as a baby.

Anonymous said...

My heart goes out to you Mme Kettle, it's difficult to know what to say as i don't have any experience of autism. Is it more something that effects behaviour rather than your little boy's health? Children are really quite marvellous, stalwart little creatures though, aren't they? I am certain that although this is not the story you would have chosen for your son, his story is still going to be wonderful. I hope that doesn't sound wankerish! x x x

MsProjectivist

squib said...

I'm sorry to hear that, Kettle. Children are such a worry, aren't they

BigSquib's childhood was just one long visit to OTs, neurologists, and every specialist known to humankind. She's not autistic however and so I can't pretend to know what that must be like

I was very surprised to learn that Les Murray is autistic

Unknown said...

Kettle, your blog brought tears to my eyes. You have written about your little boy so bravely, simply and beautifully.
Les Murray's son is autistic. He has written a beautiful piece about him, but I can't easily find the reference while I'm away. Will do later and send link.

Kettle said...

Thanks everyone for your words; you're very kind. I like the idea of kids as marvellous, stalwart little creatures. That they are xoxo