
You were born on a warm Tuesday morning in early spring. A teeny little thing with not a lot of hair. A little round face and a cute button nose. You came into my arms during a planned caesarean. I felt in control. I was healing well, breastfeeding was going well, everything according to plan. Sonny, you were all I’d imagined you’d be and more.
As a tiny baby you were easy. You fitted seamlessly into our routine and I coped well juggling your needs alongside those of your big brother who was just 2 at the time. You were a content little thing, rarely cried, very settled and life was great.
With time you grew bigger and as you grew I started to notice little differences.
You were my baby, and because you were my youngest, I failed to see that you weren’t reaching milestones as quickly as your big brother had. I put it down to the fact your brother was very advanced for his age and that you would catch up in your own time. And you did Sonny. You were babyish and I didn’t see it as a problem.
You’d already reached 2 years old and were not saying many words apart from the odd ‘Mumma’ here and there. Instead you blew raspberries and babbled away in a language as unique as you. Still, you knew what you wanted, you made yourself heard and I learnt to recognise what you were trying to tell me.
By the time you were toddling, I had noticed my happy go lucky baby had gone. In his place was a tearful, fearful little thing who struggled to cope with seemingly simple situations. Taking you shopping was hard work and I didn’t understand why. There was no reason for your meltdowns that I could see. It wasn’t because there was something you wanted or somewhere you wanted to go but simply because you were there. Why did we have to walk the same way each day? Why did you insist on the same meals each breakfast, lunch and dinner? Why did you struggle to sit down and listen to a story at playgroup like all the other children could?
Crowded, noisy places seemed to trigger you the most. I go back to the only time I’ve ever taken you on the London underground, you were so beside yourself you vomited on the tube. There was no consoling you besides removing you from the situation and as your mother I felt utterly useless.
Why couldn’t I tell what was causing you such distress? There were many times I cried because I felt like I was failing you. I was frustrated with you. I frustrated with myself for not knowing what on earth was happening to my little boy. I so wanted to help you, I simply couldn’t find a way.
We couldn’t do anything, we couldn’t take you anywhere. Everything was a challenge. Suddenly you didn’t fit into our way of life so well. Something had to change. Maybe that was me. There is a moment in my memory that stands out from all the others, one I’ll never forget. It was the day that changed everything.
It was August 2015, we’d gone to Walton-on-the-Naze beach for the day with all the family to celebrate your baby Zachy’s birthday. We’d had an amazing morning on the beach, the sun was shining, you were enjoying all the fresh air, fun and freedom that the seaside brings. Later in the day we decided to all take a walk along the pier, play on the amusements and go on the fairground rides.
We quickly reached the point of no return. We were almost at the end of the pier, when you had the most almighty meltdown. You screamed and dropped to the floor, hands over ears, eyes clenched shut. You hit me and kicked me and you pulled my hair. You dug your nails into my skin and you scratched at my face. It hurt and I was frightened. You were terrified, an animal possessed. I wanted to hold you and cry. I wanted to shout and scream myself. I didn’t understand. I wanted you to be able to tell me what was wrong. I willed the ground to swallow us up but it didn’t. Passers by watched on, silently judging. There faces as horrified and confused as mine.
Knowing all I know now, I wondered how on earth we ever reached the end of that pier in the first place. I don’t remember too much about the walk back to our spot on the beach but it must have been calm. Quiet and reflective.
My little boy was different. I knew it then. I just needed to know why. I needed to know how I could help him.
For a while I found myself focusing on the things that made you different. The set rules and routines we had to follow. The manner in which we spoke to you for you to better understand us. The fussiness of meal times and having to present food to you in a set way, beige and plain. I found myself continually on edge, desperately trying to avoid the next impending meltdown. Life consisted of avoiding situations and isolating myself from friends and social gatherings.
The more I learnt about Autism, the more I understood the reasoning behind your behaviours. I made it my mission to not change you to fit our way of life, but to change our way of life to include you. We were welcomed with open arms into a community I didn’t know existed. I focused less on what you struggled with and more on what you loved. We have worked hard to get where we are. I soon noticed that we were more alike than different, you and me.
You see Sonny, Mummy wouldn’t tell you but I too suffer with anxiety. I get anxious to the point I feel physically ill. I prefer not to be swept up with a crowd and I’m not too fond of noise either. I wait patiently outside your classroom door, nervous to be around people I don’t know, hands fixed in my coat pocket or unnecessarily scrolling through my phone. I smile to myself. For about 10 minutes, I had been spinning the wheels on a mini toy motorbike in my pocket that I had taken from you before you went into school one morning. Only when I think about it do I realise I’d probably been doing it at some point each day with one object or another. Sonny I too hate food touching other foods on my plate and I hate other people mixing my food together. It makes me cross and I will eat it begrudgingly. I like to have the contents of my kitchen cupboards just so and I hate when items aren’t put back in the right place, it makes me twitchy. It’s okay to be different. Different is good.
‘Different not less.’
I may not have always fully understood you Sonny, but I do now…
And I will go to the end of the earth to make sure everybody understands you.
Until they see you the very same way I do.
My little Sonny Shine.
X
Becci another great blog , you never cease to amaze me xxx
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I can so relate to this post! ❤
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Beautiful story. Thanks for following! 🙂
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You are an amazing mummy and your boys are so lucky to have you. I feel privileged to get a glimpse into yours and Sonny’s life and can only hope I pass on what I learn from you to my girls xxx
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Thank for Katie, so kind of you to say. Love to you and your family xxx
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This brought back many memories for me. Our girl would also get to the point of vomiting when she was so distressed. Over the years we have learnt to keep the demands and the anxiety low, and we live a different life to how we expected we might. There’s good times too though x
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Different not less is indeed the motto.
Tank you for sharing your experience
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This is lovely. And oh, so familiar! I had a moment of realisation, very different to yours, but very clear and memorable. And from then on, we’re always trying to move forward. #PostsFromTheHeart
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Thanks Kel 💙 x
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Sending so much love, from a mummy who has walked a very similar path. From the agony of not knowing, to the acceptance of who we are. My Number One is nine now, and though definitely different (at sometimes more than others), definitely not less. As she has got older both she and we have got better able to analyse the things she will cope with and the things that she just can’t. There are still days, when things go wrong, but they are far fewer and less dramatic than they were. So many of the things I worried about in the early days have been unfounded, so much so that I often wish I could have them back, and enjoy the moment more whilst worrying about the future less. It sounds like you are doing an incredible job of parenting an incredible boy. I look forward to reading more of your journey. Thank you so much for sharing it with us at #PostsFromTheHeart
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different, not less- such an important message x
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Honestly, I’m a crying mess today. Such beautiful writing and so raw.My son doesn’t have any additional needs as far as we know but at times i struggle with his behaviour flipping from calm to nuclear meltdown at the slightest thing. You are doing all you can and every day is a fresh start. Different is good, different can be challenging but Different not less. #PostsFromTheHeart
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Thank you so much for your kind comment @theunnaturalmother xxx
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Absolutely beautifully put…. Well done you for being “Love” for your child… What wonderful start for him.. 🙂
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Thank you Denise xx
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What a gorgeous blog! I loved reading it xx
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Thank you for reading! Xx
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