“We are better for having him”
“We have learned so much from him. And even though the road is long and hard and slow, we are better for having him —- even with autism.”
So autism mother Kym Lawton is quoted as saying in an article in today’s South Bend Tribune, The Reality of Autism. Her son Bob Lawton is 17 years old and attends classes at Penn High School in Indiana. While he can talk, he also uses an augmentative device called a MiniMerc for those moments and days when the language does not come so easily.
Bob can read like a whiz, says L.J. [Bob’s father] “He’s good at math. His fine and gross motor skills are as good or better than everybody. But his challenge is verbalization. … English is hard.”
And I must second the sentiments of Bob’s parents: We are much, much better for having Charlie, our son who has autism.
4 opinions for “We are better for having him”
Sharon
Jun 15, 2006 at 3:11 am
Thanks for pointing that out.
I feel proud that I was “chosen” to have these special boys. I like to think that it because I can help them from day to day.
And I have also learned a bunch about my own software by learning about them.
Kristina Chew, PhD
Jun 15, 2006 at 6:19 am
I, too—life with Charlie has made me a much better person.
Sara
Feb 22, 2007 at 12:11 am
I was privileged to be a volunteer (and part of this wonderful family’s life) who worked with Bobby 9 years ago and have since become a Pediatrician. I met a child who reminded me of Bobby and “googled” the family to see if I could find an update on this amazing and supportive family that I knew would be on the forefront, and found this article. I, too, learned so much from Bobby and his wonderful family. I miss you all and wish you the best if this finds it’s way to you. Sara
Kristina Chew, PhD
Feb 22, 2007 at 12:56 am
Sara, thanks for writing in here and for sharing about Bobby—we have stayed in touch with some of my son’s therapists from 7 years ago and hearing from one of them always brings back deep memories.
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