Link between siblings close in age and autism
Being pregnant with baby number two who will born before Little turns two, I was intrigued. I'm also an Early Childhood Educator and have great respect for studies that are attempting to find answers about Autism and ways to ensure that we see a decrease in the diagnosis of Autism in years to come. However, all I thought of after reading this is how many parents out there will read this and feel so much fear. Fear about their decisions in having children, fear for their second child, and fear that autism is their fault. It made me think of my own fears that I have battled over the years.
I will never forget when I was fifteen and first diagnosed with Diabetes, talking to my friend Andy. I was touched and a bit distraught to hear him ask with tears in his eyes, "can you have kids?" I knew the source of his asking me this question was...Julia Roberts.
Shelby from Steel Magnolias was a movie I loved and many kids my age had watched and loved. Shelby was a diabetic who's doctor told her she couldn't have children and did anyway. She becomes ill in the movie and dies. We never really now exactly what happens. We never see Shelby test her blood sugar, take insulin, eat a good diet, or have any conversations with her doctors about how to care for herself. But at 15 I didn't know how to answer Andy's question. Movies like Steel Magnolias and carelessly surfing the Internet to get answers just led me to more fear. A few years later I was being interviewed for an article about stem cell research and when the photographer came to my house she was shocked that I didn't look "sick." She too had fears about Diabetes and obviously didn't know what to expect.
Over the years I have overcome my own fears and try not to let every movie, article, and news report throw me off my game. It isn't always easy and doubt, guilt, and that fear will sometimes creep in. At age 29 I was blessed with a great pregnancy and a healthy happy daughter. Of course I still have fears. I hope to GOD she never has to deal with this...
But if I let that fear overwhelm me than I could never enjoy this...
So I'm going to approach this new Autism information the same way. I'm beyond excited about this next baby. I was a second child born less than two years after my sister and I'm pretty happy with how I turned out; diabetes and all. Whatever lies ahead for baby number two, he or she will be loved.
Here's a sneek peek :)
This post brought to you by...
The best place to get diabetes information
And
A great Autism resource
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