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A grandfather's love Posted By: seymoursheep
Posted On: 04/15/2008
My dad and I have always had a loving relationship. I always have felt loved, and I knew he cared, but I never felt understood...our interests are very different. I am musical, a writer, singer, and love to be with people, an indoor cat., and the center of attention...eccentric. My father is athletic, quick to make up his mind and slow to change, a team player, but not the leader by choice, a hard worker, and an outdoorsman. We don’t really talk a lot, never ever did much? When my third child was diagnosed with autism he had all his questions answered through my mother. Just like through my growing up years, we communicated all the important stuff through her.

Sometimes I have wondered if he really understands the magnitude of what autism has done to his only granddaughter. At first I think he thought I was being melodramatic, and then I took a band trip to Austria for 10 days and he and my mother took care of my children for 10 days. Since then things have changed, not between him and I, but between my daughter and him. I think it is because they can’t communicate traditionally. He can’t communicate through anyone to communicate with her. With Eowyn you have to meet her where she is and she chooses whether or not to let you in. I think maybe he understands the value of the relationships she does have. I know that she is very selective in who she lets into her inner circle, and I am glad he is one of them.

My dad has one passion, and that is his triathlons. He surprised us all by announcing he was going to run the Penticton Iron man for Autism as a fundraiser to raise awareness for Eowyn. He ran it before, 2 years ago, and when he was 55, and now at 57 he is going to run it again. He is fundraising for Autism Speaks, but more importantly he will be raising awareness about autism as he goes. Here is the excerpt from his first email to his friends and family he sent out tonite…

“I am just starting the long process of fund raising for Autism Speaks. I am doing this to help kids like "Eowyn" our grand daughter to get support for their learning and development. I am training 5 days a week in preparation for the Ironman Canada on August 24th in Penticton B.C.

You can donate online if you would like to help me along, thanks!

gord

http://www.walknowforautism.org/c.lwKUJaNUJtF/b.3949209/siteapps/personalpage/ShowPage.aspx?c=lwKUJaNUJtF&b=3949209&sid=elJSJ7ONKgKWI8OVKwF”

I am so excited to see him do this because in some small way it is like he and I are finally on the same page, doing something together.



       
carmel66 wrote this reply on 04/16/2008
Congratulations on this new journey with your father and daughter.

KevinLivsDad wrote this reply on 04/16/2008
It is funny how ASD kids who have so much trouble communicating with NT people

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