Thank You LATINA Magazine | 37 Latina Bloggers You Must Know in 2014

LATINA | February 2014 

Autismwonderland began as a grad school course assignment in September 2010. When I first started writing only my professor and a handful of friends were reading. I never imagined that an obligatory assignment, my labor of love would have such a powerful impact on my life.

When I first started blogging, I had no idea that there were so many amazing Latina bloggers. And little did I know that many of them would become close friends. Many of my blogging friendships began on line. And over the years, I've had the pleasure to meet them in real life.

Earlier this week, I squealed out loud when I saw this tweet:

@LaliQuin: The #Latino community is blessed to have you! You're one of our bloggers to watch in 2014: http://t.co/ZIac5VwoSV
— Latina Magazine (@Latina) January 9, 2014

To be recognized by Latina magazine as 1 of the 37 Latina bloggers to follow in 2014 is such an honor. And I am so especially proud to be among so many talented women…may women I am proud to call amigas.    

To meet the other fabulous Latina Bloggers visit: http://www.latina.com/bloggers

On This Thanksgiving I Am Grateful...

For the warmth of my humble apartment. There are so many still without heat.

To have someplace to go tomorrow for Thanksgiving dinner. There will be many who will be alone.

The Boy who has not yet discovered that I am not perfect. To him, I am close enough.

I have a husband who knows that I am not perfect. He loves me anyway.

I have family and a handful of friends who I can count on - no matter what.

I have a job. It's not the dream but it pays the bills. 

The Boy has made SO MUCH PROGRESS. Every single day, I am amazed. I haven't really had a chance to write much these days. But I am so very proud.    

I got one whole hour to myself today. I was completely alone. I ate my lunch in one sitting. I watched Parenthood on Hulu without pressing pause once.

My gratitude list could go on and on. But I'll stop here. Click HERE and visit my post on Parents.com/ToTheMax and find out what some of my autism blog friends are grateful for. 

The Boy made this at school. I cannot take credit for such creativity. I just don't have it.

The Kindness of Strangers (an open letter to a woman named Ann)

Dear Ann,

We met on Saturday afternoon at the library. We were there for the puppet show workshop. You saw me with my six year old son.

You saw how my son threw himself on the floor, fingers jammed in his ears. You saw him crying. Struggling to get out of my grasp. You heard him spitting out words. To you, they probably didn't make any sense. 

And then there was me. You saw how tired I looked. You saw me struggling with my sixty pound son. You saw me trying to pick my son up off the floor with my bag in hand and our coats tucked under my arm.  You saw how how finally let it all drop on the floor and whispered in my son's ear trying to talk to him and get him out of the room. Maybe you sensed how helpless and overwhelmed I was. Maybe even saw the defeat in my eyes, how I was silently berating myself for not being better prepared to cope with a public meltdown.

You saw all of this without judgement. Without rolling your eyes or shaking your head. Without thinking that my son was being a brat. You saw all of this and simply asked, "How can I help you?"

Thank you for those five words I so seldom hear. Thank you for trying to understand and for looking beyond the behaviors others might find unacceptable.

I declined your help.* But please know I was so incredibly grateful for the offer. Please know how moved I was by your sincerity. Please know how thankful I was for your kindness.  

And if you see another parent struggling with their child - I do hope you make the offer again. They may deny it but the offer itself will mean so much to them.  

Sincerely, 
Lisa 


* I declined Ann's help but had I accepted her offer she could have helped with my bags and coats by either putting them someplace where they were off the floor and/or out of the way. Ann could carried my bag and coat downstairs. She could have gone downstairs to get us a few books or a cup of water. I should have taken Ann's help. Because there are moments when I simply cannot do it alone. And there is nothing wrong with accepting help. If there is ever an instance when a stranger offers to assist me again, I will take it.

Resolutions, Anniversaries & Graduations

This week I cried many happy tears.

For the 2nd time this year, I had to file for an Impartial Hearing.  I filed the paperwork on my own and with no legal representation.  And on Tuesday The Husband and I met with a person from the school district for a resolution meeting.  

I know some folks will say we got what we wanted.  It's never been about getting what we want.  It's been getting what The Boy NEEDS.  

You know that saying "The squeaky wheel gets the oil"?  That's what I've heard ever since The Boy was diagnosed with autism and I had to advocate to make sure his needs were met.

I'm totally okay with being the squeaky wheel if it means, The Boy gets what he needs.  I mean, "Squeaky" was my high school nickname.  

And because I've been squeaking all year long, The Boy will be starting a new school in July.    It has been a huge weight lifted off of my shoulders.   And I am extremely grateful to the man who helped lift that weight.

The Husband and I celebrated our 9 year wedding anniversary on Wednesday.  I wanted to write a whole post about that...but it will have to wait.  We didn't exchange cards or gifts - I think we've both been preoccupied with all the crazy of this week.  

On Thursday The Husband attended an award ceremony at The Boy's school.  I couldn't go because I had to work.  But I was super proud that The Boy got an award in Technology.  I'm not surprised -  I mean, did you read yesterday's post?  But it was nice to see that his computer teacher recognized how hard he's worked this year.

This morning The Boy graduated kindergarten.  It's been such a long, difficult year.  For the both of us.  And it was difficult to sit through the graduation for many reasons.  And of course I cried.  Again, for many different reasons.  I'll post graduation pics next week.  

And now - I'm ready for the weekend.  I think we'll take a drive out to Connecticut - to the aquarium or the children's museum.  

What are your plans for the weekend?