"If we cannot now end our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity." ~ John F. Kennedy
This is just one of my favorite quotes from JFK and lately I've been hanging on to these words like my life depended on it.
Parents of special needs children will often tell you that we worry about the future of our children when we are no longer here to protect them. I am no exception.
My son is 15 years old and he is autistic. I worry every day for his future. Various scenarios race through my mind such as, will he be somewhat independent as an adult; where will he live?; will he speak up if someone abuses him?; will he be lonely?; will he be scared?; am I providing him enough resources and stimulation today to help him develop more independently tomorrow? The questions and worries are endless.
Then there are the horrific stories that are just too cruel and painful to hear. Stories like the autistic teenage boy who thinks he's participating in the ALS ice bucket challenge only to have a bucket filled with urine, feces and spit dumped all over him, or the story of another autistic teenager that was invited to a party, only to be savagely beaten afterwards.
Both boys believed that they were with their "friends." Both boys trusted their "friends." Both boys were deceived and entrapped into a situation where they were abused and victimized. What's worse, the crime was videotaped and then uploaded on social media. They were stripped of their dignity and their rights.
These are the horror stories that keep me up at night. The ones that make me feel like I'm suffocating, like one huge elephant is sitting on my chest.
Autistic people are often the target of violent crimes, even murder, by people they trust such as family members, caregivers and friends.
How can my son possibly survive in a society that mocks and dehumanizes another person? How can he survive in a society that won't respect autistic people?
I search for the words again to give me hope for the future: "If we cannot now end our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity."
Why can't we just get along?
Why is society so quick to judge, ridicule, ostracize, neglect and dehumanize that which they don't understand?
We are all different and unique in many regards but society isn't always very accepting of differences.
We all have a right to be part of an inclusive society, to function and thrive without the threat of being abused or victimized. Each and every one of us has that right, regardless of your race, gender, religious beliefs etc., and this includes autistic people.
One of the many misconceptions about autistic people is that they lack empathy.
Where is the empathy from the people who committed these violent and cruel acts? I don't see any empathy or compassion for a fellow human being.
We fear what we don't know.
I also fear what I don't know.
I don't know what the future holds, and that scares me to death!
Surf the Internet and you'll find a multitude of inspirational quotes that encourages people to be original, to stand out from the crowd, to think outside the box, to take risks, to believe in themselves, to chase their dreams and to never let the negativity of others define their truth.
Yet autistic people are constantly being targeted and judged for who they are on. Some even feel the need to pretend that they are not autistic just to avoid confrontation, intimidation and ridicule. How difficult this must be for any individual who cannot freely express themselves.
But I want to believe differently.
I want to believe in an inclusive society, accepting of all forms of diversity without judgement for that which is different.
I want to believe in a society that will be positive and pro-active as we move forward, leaving this world a better place for the next generation.
I want to believe in a society that will not turn a blind eye on another human being in need of assistance.
I want to believe in a society that will accept my son as an equal and not a burden; a society that he can thrive in and not feel threatened because he is autistic.
I want to believe that when I am no longer here...he'll be OK without me.
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