I’m passionate about equality for special needs

I’m passionate about a lot of things.  First and foremost, I’m passionate about my little boy and doing my very best to create a world for him where people see him and not how maybe-probably-autism shows itself in some of his funky words and his need to run.  I’m passionate about finding joy and wonder in everyday smiles and bubbles.  I’m passionate about equality and believe with all of my heart that everybody should be seen as equal, regardless of differing abilities, skin color, sexual orientation, beauty or the lack of it, and all the other important stuff I’m forgetting to mention.

I’m passionate about blogging and carving out time for hugs with Robert.  I’m passionate about my job, believe in our mission and am filled with self-worth when I help my company to grow.

But today?  I’m passionate about the fact that sometimes, it’s okay to just write a check.  About not being the idiotic cheerleader who helped to get myself and everybody else all excited about having a community yard sale to raise funds for Tucker’s PAC (preschool autism class) class.

It started out innocently enough.  One of the moms in the other PAC class said “Hey, have you heard that iPads can really help kids on the spectrum?  They help with language and learning and colors and shapes.”  I had heard that actually.  Tucker has an iPad so that he can watch movies when we drive to Tennessee to see Robert’s family specifically for that reason. Having one in his classroom that is actually used appropriately (because his teachers are better about not letting him have his way than I am) sounded pretty awesome.

A couple of months ago, planning a 12-family community sale along with a couple of other moms sounded pretty do-able.  My friend offered the use of her yard.  We made signs and had a meeting. I high-fived myself for hanging up the signs at libraries, rec centers, grocery stores and on community mailboxes.  Hell, this community sale shit is easy!  Plus, Life Well Blogged offered to donate $1 for each Parenting Gag Reel – Hilarious Writes and Wrongs: Take 26 book sold from my link (have I mentioned that I am in this book?  Twice! Buy one.  It’s for a good cause.).

Except that now the sale is tomorrow.  And because I am an asshole a procrastinator really really busy, I didn’t start to gather our contributions up and price them until last night.  Which meant that Tucker suddenly had a renewed interest in crappy plastic baby toys because now they were housed in a box.  Robert got all sentimental over an Iron Man Monster Truck and pulled it from the pile.  I pulled out a tiny truck because I remember when Tucker’s pudgy dimpled little one-year old hand used to clutch it.

Turns out, sorting through three plus years of buying shit for The Boy is hard, people.  Stuff that I’ve wished would magically disappear when straightening up for the cleaning lady while dusting suddenly holds value.  “How can I part with Mater when it’s given Tucker so much joy?” competes with “He’s too big for it.”

Although I know that tomorrow will be a lot of work fun and that I’ll enjoy hanging out with moms who see my son for his adorable self and not as the weird kid on the playground who doesn’t always know how to play, there have been moments when I think “Why the fuck didn’t I just write a check and buy an iPad for the PAC class?”

PS – I am very passionate about the perfect plate of nachos.   You know, the kind when there is cheese on every chip.

What are you passionate about?  (say nachos!)

PPS – also?  my pantry still looks like this.