"You don't know what its like to be an 8 year old girl, with a brother who has special needs"....
Jacquelyn was upset one day because I wouldn't allow her to something and I was amazed to hear the above quote come out of her mouth. Amazed because its a pretty mature statement to be made by an 8 year old and because she was right. So right, that it made me stop in my tracks and catch my breath.
I cuddled her head against my chest, and validated her feelings. I told her that we loved her very much and are really trying hard to give her more one on one time. She breathed a heavy sigh of relief. Not just because what I said made her feel better, but because she was able to get it off her chest.
Autism doesn't just effect the child on the spectrum, it effects everyone involved in that child's life. I am glad my daughter gave me the opportunity to open my eyes just a little wider, so that I could see this.
