Simple things... (Religion mentioned)

When you have a child on the spectrum it is often the simple tasks that can be the most challenging and daunting.

Today's example is going to church or place of worship. Sound easy enough doesn't it. Going to a place of god and praying and asking forgiveness. Being surrounded by people with the same beliefs as yourself.

But having the same beliefs in god does not mean they have the same tolerance level or that they fully grasp that all children just can't be seen and not heard. We used to go to a parish that was an older parish. Whilst it did have families the children had an unwritten expectation that they would sit still and quiet (or play quietly) for the hour you were in mass. And even though we had been taking Thomas since he was a baby, This was becoming more and difficult for him.

Most parishioners took joy in his smiles and antics. Other however were not so joyful about the little boy who was never quiet or could not sit for more than a few minuets. Some even took it as a sign of bad parenting. Even though we were doing all the right things to try to keep him contained and happy. (food, toys, books, colouring activities, comforters, monkey backpack/harness.) It was becoming IMPOSSIBLE nightmare.

Then after joining a support group I met another catholic mum with 3 on the spectrum and her youngest is very much like Thomas! And yes they still managed to go to church each week. How I dared to ask? And that started a new chapter in our christen journey. We found another parish that welcomed children and all their antics. Where even the toddlers were ok to wonder (with in parents reason of course) and were these children are ok to colour and draw, play trucks and cars, even paper aeroplanes! Were children can be children and accepted for them as gods people.

Only one person dared to shhh the boys. A young childless couple who had dared to sit next to the boys playing with trucks. (yep the boys were there first playing.) But that is bound to happen. Next time they won't sit next to two robust boys if they really wanted to listen. And so what if Thomas wanted to sign a wiggles song rather than say the prayer or hymn at the time.

Tolerance and love is often taught to us by the seemingly unwise. We often question why we have been given these blessings. But every now and then we see why god has created them. We need difference to learn tolerance of others, patience and kindness. With this comes a greater love for each other.

So today I am grateful for the people who have come into our life. For showing us there is tolerance and understanding in the world.