JACOB ALLEN, COME HOME!
Do you see this handsome boy? He is 18. He is lost in the woods of West Virginia. He has severe autism. I will not label him "autistic" anymore than I would call a child with cancer, "cancerous." His name is Jacob Allen. Did I mention he is lost in the woods?
He wandered ahead of his parents during a hike and did not respond to his name when they called him. And that was that. This beautiful child has been missing since Sunday. Read more here.
My family took a vacation last week and one of my girls with autism wandered away. For about 30 minutes we had security in a 2000 room hotel searching for her. Jacob Allen's Mom has been waiting for days. And nights. Cold nights. I am profoundly sad for his parents, who wait with a worry, a fear and a "we knew this could happen" that must be paralyzing.
Jacob Allen, come home. Please, child. Come home.
21 comments:
This is sooo sad. I hope they find him---soon! Our clients are going to the state fair tomorrow, and coverage is being determined today. Parents and staff are going in full force. I can't go because I'm a Service Coordinator who must remain in this stupid office... I wanna go hang out with my clients---laugh and have a ball! :*)
Demon, sticky labels on the back of every child, where they can not see or feel them. Name, "I have autism" and a phone number. Trust me, from this I know. Also, have a photo of every one of them that you can hand to security in advance and talk to security so they are prepared for a "jail break" in case one happens. Also, you might alert the Sheriff's dept or which ever jurisdiction has control of police security at the fair, if you are bringing a large group, especially if there are fully grown boys.
You need to catch a cold tonight and show up at the fair to hunt for Vitamin C. I hear there's plenty in the fried Twinkies. ;)
So an artist is not "artistic"? A Musician is not "musical"? Get over the whole atistic thing-it is not the same as saying someone is cancerous. It is just one more thing to nitpick. "Autistic" is a term that tell of the way a persons brain is wired. That is not bad. I am proud to call my child autistic-because I do not SEE it as a bad thing. Obviously you do. Too bad for your girls that you make a big deal over something that does not really matter. Tomato-TomAHto.
Autistic is not a pegorative term. Use it or don't, but lets not poke each other with sharp sticks if we use this descriptive adjective. There are bigger fish to fry, like how can we keep our kids safe when they become separated from a group.
This rattles me to my core. Jacob and his family will be in my thoughts until he is safe at home again.
Saying prayers for Jacob. Icky sick feeling in the pit of my gut.
BTW ANONS - I have a daughter with autism and I bristle at the term "autistic" too. It's not who she is. It does not aptly describe her - you could not detect her autism if you saw her in a classroom. I do not see her autism as a bad thing, but it is not all she is. Why would I label her? I have a thyroid condition. People do not refer to me as "thyroidic". I stand with Kim.
Anonymous,
To read this wonderful blog and imply anything but the fact that Kim is a loving and proud mom of three girls with autism baffles me. Her choice to not use the term "autistic" highlights the actual human beings behind the label. My son has autism. He is a delightful little boy who has to work extra hard because of his autism. I have arthritis. I do not describe myself as an "arthritic." Let's hope that this boy is found and cheer Kim for keeping us aware and being a constant source of inspiration.
OH FOR GOD@S SAKE!! GET OVER IT!!
To say some one is "autistic" is no more descriptive of what you will get than to say they are sporty. Autistic SPECTRUM disorder - THE CLUE IS IN THE TITLE so with that in mind, "anon", I'd say you have not got the first idea what you're dealing with and most certainly not one iota what I deal with.
Labels are useful if they open doors to help that's required but I'd say their purpose ends there.
um...I have a son who is indeed "autistic". to say he has autism, makes it sound like a disease that needs a cure. there is no cure...only ways to make it easier. Kim has 3 autistic girls...oh and BTW, I am "autistic" too. Bottom line is that it is all preference. And I prefer to be called autistic and use the term for my family.
Thank you for mentioning Jacob Allen in your blog. I will say a prayer for him and his family. Don't take anonymous's comments to heart, Kim. Everyone that reads this blog knows what a loving and devoted mother that you are. Why can't some people see that we are all striving for the same goals? We shouldn't get caught up in semantics or titles, only that which serves the greater good.
Hi, 10:17 anon. I respect your decision to call yourself autistic and your son too. I hope you'll respect my decision to refer to my girls as having autism. It's semantics, of course. There are times when I use "autistic" in my writing and speech for brevity. This isn't the place to debate "cures", I'm still really just thinking about Jacob Allen's safety. I appreciate your popping in and please feel free to use your name. I don't bite. And I have enjoyed getting to know more people with autism personally. It helps me understand my girls and how to help them.
Yours,
KIM
Speaking as a mother of two girls with autism I know what ASD means to me and mine but I would not pretend to know what it means in your house, anon, my point being that ASD is such a wide description it's more of a heads up rather than a this is what it is. Like I say, if labelling my girls gets them what they need, call them skyblue pink for all I care, it won't change who they are.
Seems to me people in the US get very hung up on labels.
Amanda, jump down before you get a bloody nose up there! ;)
Kim,
Unfortunately I was not allowed to go to the fair. I work with Adults and children who are mentally retarded, Autistic, who have Asperger's, William's syndrome, dually diagnosed (Schizophrenia and mental retardation). I run the gamut. There were a great deal of staff and parents, and they always wear the same color t-shirts, and have nametag necklaces with their names and the name and phone number of the board and a contact person's name is attached to the necklace. We're always prepared. The cops are always on alert because today is a special people with disabilities day at the fair. It's not meant to separate, it's meant to showcase and cater to their needs. They always have a great time. The sheriff's office is working double time! :*)
Demon,I hope they bring you a corn dog! :)
Well Kim,
Seeing as how my boyfriend bought me a corndog on Saturday, I really don't need any more, so they aren't bringing me anything. Besides, I'm a worker ant, they don't care if I ever eat...lol...
P.S. Ignore negative comments from silly people. Jill Scott has a new lovely song out, called, "Hate on me, Hater." She made it for her ex-husband...lol...send the evil anons that to listen to...
Yeah! Thank heavens for his safe return. He had a lot of people praying for him.
What a releif!! I was dreading another tragedy
After my son was diagnosed with autism. I have had ill feelings about the getting lost thing. I put lights all around the house. I have "dog tags" on all the zippers of his coats. There is also a website that sells velcro things to go on shoes.
I am desperate to get my town in line with Austism 911 (If you can believe that there is some sort of prejudice going around the ambulance company because the lead guy has a son with "global disability" and he thinks autism is getting more attention???? What the F Chuck?...call it whatever you want. Just make sure that people are aware ... that these kids do not answer to their names.
I swear.....if I could buy a "batman" light that beams out into the galaxy, I would....HELP! MY KID IS LOST!
I hear you KIM...my son found his way under the porch, one day and I looked for him for ten minutes ...Pure hell. I had an asthma attack and pee'd myself. My son came out and said "Silly Mama"....I thought I was going to die....woods all around...lions, tigers and bears oh my!
I was just talking to someone about a project that would create sort of an "A" window decal for a car or a bedroom window (like the TotFinder the firefighters give away) to say there is a child WITH AUTISM (nyah nyah) in the house or a car if there was an accident. What's the lesser of two evils? Advertising you have a child with autism in the house or car or NOT explaining it and hten having an emergency. I think I need to write about this. Stay tuned.
Anon, I'm glad your son came out from the porch. We ALL needs Depends some days.
Post a Comment