Recently, we had a tough day of hospital appointments.
As many of you are aware, the hospital is not a great place for kids with ASD. It is always busy, loud, over-crowded and there is a lot of waiting. But now, due to COVID, there is no toy area or play therapists wandering around to offer even a momentary distraction.
Emma was not content to sit and wait, so every chance she got she would sprint in the direction of the consulting suites and barge in to someone else's medical appointment (if I was a moment too slow). Other times, she would just wander quietly and aimlessly into the corridor before throwing her ipad and launching into a run. As I gave chase for the 28th time and told her to sit on the chair, I realised we were providing entertainment for the 50 or so other people waiting anxiously for their appointments.
I wondered what they were thinking while they watched....
"Look at that wild kid - why isn't that mum disciplining her?"
"Some people shouldn't have kids if they can't control them..."
"I'd smack my kid if she behaved like that" or "Thank God MY child doesn't behave like that..."
Sadly, these are not phrases I imagine people are saying, these are actual comments I've heard. And, sometimes the disapproving stares communicate more than words anyway.
I've become very good at ignoring them. Well, most of the time.
Once the doctor was ready, we went into the consulting room and Emma (knowing the drill) climbed up on the examination bed. The doctor then realised we had to go to a different room for a weigh / measure (due to COVID) and this was NOT okay with Emma as it was unfamiliar. As we walked back through the waiting room, Emma's anxiety sky rocketed and she launched into a full meltdown in front of all the people sitting there. She screamed, she spat, she tried to grab any people or things she could get her hands on and then finally just threw herself on the ground wailing.
I can't pick her up anymore so after my desperate attempts to encourage her to move failed (and the doctor was waiting), I awkwardly dragged her into the room. Once in the new room, she continued to scream and throw everything she could get her hands on. At one point she even managed to remove the doctor's very nice (and probably expensive) high heel and throw it. That was a low point.
As we were leaving, mentally and physically exhausted, a mum (stranger) came up behind me and put her hand on my shoulder. She looked me in the eye and said, "I just wanted to tell you you're doing a great job". My heart flooded with thankfulness. It was such a small, simple gesture from a fellow mum but its impact was huge. I felt like someone had lit a candle in a dark room as a reminder that 'light' still existed and all was not bleak.
As I smiled and said thankyou, her eyes filled with tears. She explained that she had been watching me and felt overwhelmed with how hard it must be. Her mumma heart filled with compassion and she felt compelled to reach out.
My heart was softened because someone actually 'saw' me.
Most mothers only 'see' what is superficial - the behavior, the defiance, my apparent lack of 'control', her unbrushed hair....sometimes they see through the lens of their own insecurity and self-centredness and use my child to build themselves up or compare their child to mine.
But it takes an exceptional person, one who is not afraid to feel things deeply, to truly 'see' another mum and allow their heart to be filled with love and compassion instead of judgement.
Which mum are you? The one who 'judges' or the one who 'sees'?
If I'm honest, I'm probably a bit of both at times.
But I know which mum I want to be.
When you see a mum struggling with a child with behaviors, what is your response? Are you the mum who thanks God your child is not like that or the mum who recognises the child is having a hard time and offers a gentle, reassuring smile that communicates I 'see' you.
Be THAT mum
When you overhear a mum 'lose' it when a child is struggling with behaviors, do you awkwardly ignore them and think "I would never speak to my child like that" or do you stop and offer assistance? Sure, you risk getting a mouthful and they'll probably say no, but I know my frustration has been diffused in the past by someone 'seeing' me and offering help.
Be THAT mum
Mum's often stare or comment disapprovingly when they see the siblings supporting Emma. I don't know if many have stopped to consider how different, and challenging their life is having a sibling with a disability. Instead of judging me, choose to be the mum that recognise that family dynamics are significantly different when you have a child with significant needs. How about recognising the 'caring' role they take on out of love for their sibling and encourage them?
Be THAT mum.
When your child spots a disabled person or a child acting strangely and you witness the 'raised eyebrow' stare or a rude comment (and that's okay...they're still learning) you can pretend not to notice or you can seize the teachable moment and explain that some people are simply, different and encourage them to say 'hello'.
Be THAT mum
When you hear of a family going on a holiday without their special needs child, do you judge how terrible that is? Or does your heart break a little to think of what it means for that family to not be able to include one of their own children in those special memories like you can.
Be THAT mum
When your special needs mum friend is bit short, snippy or vague and disconnected, do you assume they're not 'coping' and rush to tell someone of your 'concern'? Or do you recognise that this mum carries a heavy burden (not her child but the fear and anxiety associated with their child) and might need a bit more of your patience and understanding than your average mum friend.
Be the mum that chooses compassion instead of accusation.
Be the mum that offers to help instead of walking the other way.
Be the mum that chooses to build others up and not tear them down.
Be the mum that chooses love instead of judgement.
Be the mum that you have needed others to be for you.
Be the mum who 'sees'.
Be THAT mum.
