No, It’s the Potatoes….

What could that title possibly mean?

My husband and I are the very proud parents of a special needs young man. He is our light and our treasure and loved beyond measure.

Yet, the world only sees him as that weird guy wearing headphones, flapping his hands and not responding when someone speaks to him.

Regrettably, that includes family members.

And so, this is the story behind the title.

We were invited to the home of a family member for a holiday gathering. Our hostess prepared a lovely buffet meal loaded with festive treats.

Among the dishes offered was potatoes au gratin. Our son detests potatoes in most forms.

When it was our turn to fill our plates, I prepared a plate for our son as well, carefully avoiding the potatoes. I was hoping that it would go unnoticed by our hostess but no such luck. She called me out because I didn’t include any on our son’s plate. Drawing on my best social skills, I deftly tried to explain that he didn’t care for potatoes but would happily partake in the rest of the dishes.

She then declared that it was surely “the autism” that caused him to dislike the potatoes.

No, it really is the potatoes I said quietly to myself.

Having a lifelong disability takes so much from an individual that it is almost impossible to grasp. Not only is it constant care and support but I have witnessed firsthand that it carries with it the opportunity to enjoy a complete and utter lack of respect as well. Apparently, it also takes away the simple human right to dislike something for your own reasons with no other significance or connection attached.

For the record, I despise lima beans and have never once been questioned as to my motives.

Content provided by Women Belong member  MARY ELLEN DETTERLINE