I've always had a bit of a thing about labels, we can be so quick to put them upon ourselves, or others. I've done it myself, I often describe myself as a little bit different, or weird. I can be practically feral at times, crazy at others or just a bit quirky, they are all labels, right?
My youngest son was officially labled, at the age of eight, as having a disorder. Autistic Spectrum Disorder. To me he was just Sparky; (the nickname he has had since the age of two) bright as a button, hilariously funny, different, quirky. The word disorder didn't quite fit right for me, it suggested there was something wrong with him, this is far from the case. Sparky is brilliant, ok so I'm probably biased, I'm his mother, it's allowed, but he really is. He is 19 now and has just left home and gone to uni. He is sensible, smart, independent; gushing proud mother moment.
As a family, me, three kids (all adults now) the dog and newest edition cat, we are all a bit different in our own special little ways, this is something I relish. Fitting in has never been a goal for me, I'd often say things like, "don't be a sheep, or, stand out and be outstanding," to the kids as they were growing up. It must have been difficult for them at times having such an out there, in your face, unashamelessly, quirky mother. I'm amazed how they have all turned out to be fully functioning adults, and pretty exceptional ones at that!
Having a child who'd been given the label 'autism' was never looked upon by any of us as if there was something was wrong. If anything it was seen as a blessing, a gift of brilliance, and we wanted some of it! Autism envy!! Ok maybe that was just me. It's probably what's made me so aware of the labels we give or are given.
Now a wise, old grandmother, I am delighted to see the clever, quirky, spirted family traits shining through the bright, wondrous eyes of my three grandchildren. I see it in their smiles, their sense of wonder and fun. I hear it in their giggles, I love to hear their laughs. I can feel it so strongly in their love.
There are many things I've learnt from life, if there was something I've learnt about me I would pass onto others about being different, it would be this;-
Not fitting in with the crowd has ever been something I've needed to fix, it's been my superpower. Embrace your weirdness.
By Maggie Martin
