As for the joys far too many . It is a joy that is in your soul , it does not mean that I have this happy face all the time , but I take comfort in what I feel in my soul . I know I have done well by him and by Anna-K , I know I have done what others thought was impossible . I am not filled with pride because of it , I am just pleased .
I have learnt to listen to the unspoken word , to celebrate the small things like the first time when he was just past year 4 and he lifted the spoon and fed himself that spoonful of rice . How could you not celebrate this ? They said he would never feed himself . I do a happy dance whenever he takes himself to the toilet and sits there stimming quietly until he has his number 2 in the toilet . this does not happen all the time , but when it does , it is cause for celebration .
What is the one thing you hope other parents will take away from what you ’ ve shared about raising Brian ? Find the joy in it all . It makes the journey one of delight , learning and revelation .
. . . they conclude that since he cannot speak , and he cannot learn sign language that he does not communicate . Wrong . He does . You just have to listen with a different ear and heart . ~ Maureen Webber
“ On a day in December , I watched 2 boys and their parents next to me as they went through their meal here at Margaritaville and silently , tears flowed . By the time Anna-K rejoined Brian and I , it was clear I was sad . But then , the present interrupted . Brian had a No . 2 , which explained why he was restless . No time for thoughts about what could be . This is here and now . Armed with Brian ’ s backpack carefully packed for such moments , I got past , explaining why me and my 28 year old male were heading into the female restroom . 10 minutes later we emerged . There was a long line and I aplogised to the first person . She responded . . . “ I have a cousin . I will tell her mother what I saw . Hopefully , it will inspire her to take her out ,” the lady said to me . I stepped away with more silent tears . They were now tears of joy . . .” ~ Maureen Webber To Table of Contents