Join us in the Fight against Autism! Columbus Autism Walk-Oct 12
“Hot Flying Crackers!”
Why do I walk?
I walk for my nephew Khalil who has made my heart sing in ways I could never have imagined.
I walk for my Sister and Brother-in-law, Paige and John whose undying patience and dedication to Khalil’s development are an inspiration to me.
I walk for my Mom, Ginger, Khalil’s “Nanna” whose enduring optimism for Khalil’s future keep us all going
I walk for all the parents in the world who have suffered the heartache and disappointment of knowing their child has special needs.
I walk because it’s time for the pediatricians and Congress to pay attention to this disease and take more of an interest in what might be causing it. Perhaps vaccines are linked, perhaps they are not. All I know is that many parents of these kids feel in their gut that vaccines may have contributed or exacerbated the problem. It’s time to listen to the parents and work together to determine the causes of autism so that we can determine how to prevent it.
I walk to celebrate the accomplishments that are huge in Khalil’s life that would be commonplace for other kids like: learning to ride a bike, trusting his swim instructor enough to float on his back, expressing his feelings without hitting or biting, learning how to endure noises that sound so much louder to his ears than ours, and allowing his Nana to cut his hair even though is physically hurts his head to have it cut.
I was fortunate to be present for the birth of my nephew. It was the most magical event of my life. I was the designated videographer and you can feel my excitement as I jump up and down with the camera. On the video you hear me saying, “Oh, he is so beautiful….just perfect!”
While some would argue that he is not perfect, he is to our family. We laugh at his quirky sense of humor when he says funny Khalil-isms like calling firecrackers, “Hot flying crackers” and his blunt (sometimes too much so) way of dismissing people when he is tired of talking to them. He has been known to say in a very sweet voice, “You can go now!” When someone comes to his house with their children and he has had enough excitement. He can recite commercials verbatim and will say, “Mama we should go on a cruise because they have spacious cabins with ocean views, fun activities for kids and 24 hour room service!” Just thinking about his sense of humor makes me laugh.
We are extremely fortunate in that Khalil is highly communicative with a diagnosis of PDD (Pervasive Developmental Disorder.) He has always had amazing speech skills and has the funniest way of expressing himself. He keeps us laughing. He calls me “Hauntie” instead of “Auntie” and it warms my heart to hear him say my name. I hope he always calls me this. He brings tears to my eyes when I visit and he leans over and says, “Hauntie, I love you! You are my best friend!”
Khalil doesn’t feel physical pain the way other kids do, but he has more anxiety than any 4 year old should ever have. Enduring loud noises, surviving a haircut, playing nicely with other kids, sleeping, allowing his teeth to be brushed, and eating are all a daily struggle for him. I walk because I want to show my support for Khalil and other children who struggle with everyday tasks that most kids master easily.
So, you ask, why do I walk? I walk because Khalil is an incredible blessing to our family. While we don’t know exactly what his future will hold, we do know that he has the love and support of a family that are dedicated to doing everything humanly possible to help him succeed.
-The New Albany Pet Nanny aka "Hauntie"
Check out a picture of Khalil in my photo section!
- Autism Walk (Jul 29, 2008)