PERSONAL NARRATIVE
water on his pants, spots on the floor don’t get
top priority.
20. “I worry about what will happen when I’m
gone.” How will she survive? Who will advocate for her? Who will keep her safe?
21. “Sometimes I get jealous.” I wish I could do
what you do. I wish I had a nicer house. I wish
I didn’t have medical bills. I wish I could wear
nice clothes. I wish...
22. “I feel like a failure.” My child still struggles
with ___. I let him down when I didn’t stand up
for him soon enough. I should have taken him
out of that situation sooner.
23. “Occasionally I sit in a parked car by myself
and cry.” I get a few minutes alone and I don’t
have to let my child see me crying.
24. “I need help.” I cannot care for my other children and my child on the spectrum and get it
all done. I cannot keep her safe. I cannot keep
the house clean when my child needs solace
much of the day.
25. “I don’t want your pity.” Kindness, assistance,
compassion...yes. Pity, no.
26. “I’m not a superhero.” I’m just a just regular
person doing the best I can.
27. “Some days I want to give up.”
Yes, sometimes I want to give up. But I won’t.
Jenny Herman writes from a real-life
perspective so others can peek inside life with special needs. She
shares what works for her in an effort to help others with homeschooling and high-functioning autism. Jenny’s motto
is “Just keep swimming.” She invites you to visit
jennyherman.com.