I know the nicest people

Life in Autismland has one quite spectacular benefit.
I know the nicest people.
Not just the fellow moms of Auties and friends who knew me BA ( Before Autism ) and have supported me so well –(  though they are spectacular in their own right )

But some other people who I would never have known otherwise

R's therapists – E, S , M and T are such people
S is one of R's therapists – she is 20 cute young blond. She has a brother with ASD and is little mother to him – she works harder than anyone I know

When I reflect back on my priorities when I was 20 ( look cute for DH , do well in school ) S's maturity is impressive indeed .

This month she has been looking less than ebullient.

I have been trying to offer wordless sympathy – making Pecan brownies( s loves sweet stuff ) for our team meeting – handing her a bowl of chicken tortilla soup etc

The bowl of soup she met with a smile–" Thank you I am trying to cook at home these days. I bought some ham, cheese and bread yesterday"( this should give you a idea of just how young she is –making a sandwich=cooking)

Finally one day when I see bruises on her arm I can stay wordless no longer and ask her what's up

She says"I have been getting beaten a lot lately…… There is this very aggressive boy I am working with"
Seeing my shock – she quickly explains

" He doesn't mean it.. he is a darling in fact . he is just very frustrated these days and having lots of behaviors."

I am so spoiled by super sweet and gentle R - always gentle always sweet - who is the only special needs kid I know well that agressiveness in other children( thoug of course its usually a result of frustration rather than a desire to hurt anyone ) always shocks me.

On my asking her what she does when " getting beaten", she says " I just keep tell him to stop and repeat in my head . I will not cry "Some of the nicest people live in my world now !