Ever wondered, why me? I have.
About 3 years ago, my son Jayden was diagnosed with Autism. It took me 12 months to accept it. I lay awake at night wondering
- what did I do wrong to have this happen to me?
- how am I going to survive?
- what do I do now?
WHY WHY WHY I would ask.
I was upset, angry, and devastated. One morning, I remember driving to work and again incessantly thinking about the situation I was in, and I had an epiphany.
I realised that every question I had been asking myself had the word I in it. I was making this all about myself, when it should have been about my son.
What I should have been asking was;
- how does this affect my son?
- how do I now give my son the best chance in life he can have?
Everything in life is a journey, and I came to the realisation that this was just another journey that we had to embark upon as a family.
We are still on that journey, and it has its ups and downs. Luckily enough we have more ups, and life is great. My son has taught me how to see the world differently, and how to treasure the relationships I have personally and in business. He has taught me not to give up no matter how tough life gets, and to realise that there is nothing ‘wrong’ with him – he is only on the spectrum.
I no longer ask questions starting with Why me? or how am I…? I now move through life thinking about how can I improve both personally and professionally. I look at my son and see a 5 year old that has exceeded every challenge thrown at him; he is truly an inspiration. Do I see him as my son on the spectrum? Yes I do – and am proud of the way he is.
Take the time to accept your challenges, and turn them around by embracing them. You never know what might happen.