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Thursday, October 30th, 2008
by Jerry Russell

Every story has to start somewhere, right?  I suppose this tale starts here.  It’s a modest beginning, but most good yarns start off that way, with a farm boy or a halfling that has no idea that he will eventually be drawn into a world he has never dreamed of and go on to have great adventures and do even greater things. Of course, if you follow the standard plot outlines, in doing so our hero must overcome some great challenges along the way.  This is his right of passage.  So says one of my many books on writing.

Our story is much the same as these classic fantasies.  The hero is a very young boy at this point.  He has no idea that he is about to set out on the greatest and most challenging journey he will ever face.  He is unaware that he will have to battle the most fearsome opponent known to mankind to win the quest and save the day. For instead of facing a fearsome dragon in the highest room of the tallest tower, he will have to face himself and in doing so, he will set himself free.

Like any good hero, ours has a band of stalwart companions who travel with him.  There is the queen, of course. Also known as Mom, she will guide him through the perils of his journey.  The part of annoying not-so-talking sidekicks are played by Charlie and Cocoa, who provide our hero with much comic relief throughout the day. And then of course there is the humble narrator, who also has bit parts as a knight in not-so-shiny armor and the slayer of anything that would harm our hero before he faces the great foe, like spiders and crickets and such. That part is played my me, also known as Dad.

Our journey was foretold about a month ago, when the great oracle in the white robes (played by the base mental heath specialist) declared that my son must do battle with the dread villain Aut-ism (played in part by our hero). In so doing he has gathered together a list of great challenges that our hero must overcome.  The first of these takes place tomorrow at 1:00, where our hero must begin his battle with silence.  The challenge is speech therapy.

How does the story end?  I don’t have a clue. You’ll just have to join the party and find out.  With any luck it ends with our hero settling down peacefully on a small plot of land with a beautiful maiden and several children, all grown, coming to visit him in his golden years.

At least that’s what the narrator is hoping for.  What about you?

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4 Comments

Judy

October 30th, 2008
at 12:50pm

I love this Jerry. You have a very lucky little boy there. Your wife and you are verycspecial people. I feel honored to be allowed to tag along on this journey!

kellypea

October 30th, 2008
at 12:53pm

I’m glad you’ve decided to do this. There are so many others living with similar knowledge and working hard to support their children in the best way they can. Having had children with autism mainstreamed into my classes for a portion of their day for years, and as an administrator responsible for several schools’ supportive programs, I know that you have much on your plate. I’ve been a participant in countless meetings with parents frustrated with a systems that seems not to work for their children’s specific needs — and often, very rightly so. But I also know that with your seemingly never ending energy, your son is lucky to have you to call Dad.

Jo

October 30th, 2008
at 1:57pm

I think it’s so wonderful that you are documenting this journey. Not only do I think it will help you by writing it out and sharing your struggles and triumphs… you will be helping so many others who are on these same travels. Being able to come here and read your story will be a comfort to someone else down the road, sometimes just knowing you’re not alone can make all the difference.

The hero of this story is very blessed to have such amazing sidekicks. You are wonderful parents :) I wish you all the best in this new chapter. Thank you for allowing us to share in this with you.

Jerry Russell

October 31st, 2008
at 8:33am

@Judy,
I’m not sure if he’s lucky or if we are. I just hope I’m up to the task at hand. I’m glad to have you along for the quest! There’s safety in numbers, Little Hobbit.

@kellypea,
That’s one of the reasons I did start it. That and a need to rant and rail against a certain celebrity group that is currently spreading the most heinous form of false information and false hope to parents, but that will come soon. need a few posts in and to find my voice here first.

@Jo,
If it helps one other person on this great planet, then I’ve done far more than I could hope for. If it inspires a few along the way, or helps to dispel a myth, even better!

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