Celebrity Kids with Autism

Hello all, I bow my head in shame that it's been so long since I submitted a post.  Things around the home have been hectic and uncertain due to job changes and doctor visits.  However......on to today's post...and remember I am the writer who is learning about autism.....

I read an article in a magazine to which my daughter-in-law subscribes.  It was about Holly Robinson and her husband having to struggle with their marriage and learning to raise an autistic child.  I was surprised to learn that Holly had an autistic child and is a successful and well-known actress.  She's so beautiful and her smile is almost always evident.  It misleads one to believe she has no struggles.  Ahhh, the things we moms can hide from the world.

After reading Holly's story, I went online and searched briefly for actors/actresses who have autistic children.  In just a one page search, I discovered only two others besides Holly Robinson who are celebrities with autistic children.  One was Toni Braxton and the other was Jenny McCarthy.  I'm not as familiar with those two ladies, but I do recognize the names when I hear or see them.

Anyone can have an autistic child.  It's not readily evident to the world that a parent has a child with this challenge.  Autism is not an entity that chooses who to target.  Celebrities usually do, of course, have more expensive resources available to them to deal with challenges, and the money with which to get the best of help that is available and discovered.  But the fact is that it should not be a source of shame that a child is discovered to be autistic.  It is also a fact that these ladies, even with their successful circumstances, have still had to be educated and have suffered through mistakes with their children.

Parents should be proud of their children and unashamed to make the challenges known to others.  It is in opening up that one begins to discover avenues that would otherwise be lost.  A child does not choose to be autistic, and therefore should not evoke the parent to feel disappointed in them. 

My hope today is that any mom who does feel any guilt because of having an autistic child or has felt apologetic and hopeless and embarrassed, will understand that we should not be ashamed of our children or our circumstances provided we are making every effort possible to be the best person and mother we can be.  Doing the best we can is all that can rightfully be expected.  Pity is often extended towards mothers with challenging children because of a lack of understanding.  It is often through enlightenment that the pity changes to empathy, a totally different emotion.

Although there are people in this world, including close family members, and sometimes unexpected loved ones, who have a slim and closed mind and an unfairly judgmental attitude that nothing we can say or do will change.  But that is not reason to lose hope and faith in humankind.  To give in is to give up.  So, if you struggle with negative emotions and depression, please take this message to heart.

Hold your heads high for your accomplishments and for your milestones crossed with your children whatever your challenges.  As for those who are blessed to have not had this struggle with negative emotions, kudos to you.  Open up your heart and pour out that encouragement to others who desperately need a pat on the back and a light shed in their darkness.