A Blessing For Us

   Mayre Lou and I watched a movie yesterday afternoon that touched both of us. Temple Gradin is an accomplished woman in the animal husbandry field. She is also autistic, which rings a bell with us since we have a grandson who is. What struck me, when I took the time to go back and think about the film, were the people in her life who saw her for what she could become, and not just what she suffered from. Several of these folks come to mind.

   First of all was her mother. A woman who did not know how to handle a child with this diagnosis, but who worked with her, so that she could function in her world. This mother, I am sure, wanted her little girl to grow out of the condition, and so she prodded and pushed to give her the tools she would need to succeed. But the hardest part in being her mother was surely, that Temple could not show any affection or appreciation for any of her efforts. The girl could not even allow anyone to touch her, much less hug her.

   Then there was the teacher in the boarding high school who worked with her in her favorite field of science. This man did not coddle her, but led her in such a way that she could discover herself in that area of study. He cared about her as a person and as a student, but also saw her mind as unusual. Temple just saw things differently, and her abilities in this area held a world of potential.

   Her roommate turned out to have her own set of unusual circumstances. She was blind, and Temple needed to put some of her own "stuff" aside and be her eyes in the place where they both were being schooled. These two girls learned from each other, especially how each "saw" the world and their place in it.

   I probably overlooked several others, but one more lady comes to mind. She was an incidental helper, one that had no formal role in Temple's life, but an important one nevertheless. Temple was afraid of automatic doors and would not go through them. She had entered this grocery store alongside another customer, but when it came time to go back out, she was alone and could not bring herself to make the doors open and go through. This lady, another shopper, simply told her, "I'll go through with you", and that made all the difference.

   To realize all that Temple accomplished is amazing and a true success story. Not just the success of an autistic girl, but the success of many caring people that helped along the way.

   We have a grandson over in Arkansas, who, like Temple Gradin, is autistic. Like Temple, he has an unusual way of inflection in his speech. He has some mannerisms that are different, like she does. He is very smart, like she is, and he has had the great fortune to have parents who have nurtured him and loved him for what he can be. He has had teachers who have spent the time to see him in his academic role and have cared enough to go the extra mile in this area. He has had classmates that have helped, and has had adults and children alike that have just said, "I'll go through with you".

   Does God have a plan for Temple and for Archer? Sure, but one thing that has blessed his grand parents, is watching an 11 year old boy, blossoming in his life, with the support of caring people around him. He has helped us see others in a new way.

   We love that boy!