Truth About Love

My son Ethan, 5, has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Sensory Processing Disorder. Immediately upon hearing this people want to offer their condolences for having a child with special needs. For a long time this angered me about people but then I realized that those people must not know what amazing children these kids are. They are so much more than their diagnosis. I feel like there should be more stories about the successes that come out of these 'conditions.'
Ethan's "condition" allows him to see and feel things that a lot of people, even grown ups, cannot. Ethan is very empathetic, kind and generous. He is able to see inside a person for who they really are. It is a trait I wouldn't give up for anything!
A perfect example of this had me completely choked up the other morning while waiting for his bus. Ethan was telling us about Michael. My husband and I were curious and wanted to know more about this Michael. So we asked Ethan:
"Who is Michael?"
"He is my friend," replied Ethan.
"Does he ride your bus?" I asked.
"No," said Ethan.
"Is he in your class?" Asked my husband.
"No," he said.
I finally asked, "Well, how do you know Michael?"
"He is in P.E. with me," he explained.
"Oh," said I. "He is in another class then?"
"Yes. He has a chair with wheels on it." He quickly told us happily.
Upon hearing this, I momentarily panicked at how I was going to explain to him about what it means for this boy to have a wheelchair and how to act {socially} because of it, when I was suddenly interrupted by him excitedly exclaiming, "And I get to push him!"
My eyes completely filled with tears and I smiled really big at him and asked, "Do you love pushing Michael in his chair?"
"Yes!" He said excitedly and giggled to himself.
And here I was, worried about him being politically correct when he hadn't even noticed there was anything to be correct about. All he sees is a friend who he gets to 'play' with...and he loves it! I could not be more proud of him for not only forming a relationship in the first place but for also setting an example for all of us to follow. That's MY boy. And I would not change a thing. :)