‘Adapting to the possibilities of life’
April 27th, 2008
Writing in National Public Radio’s “This I Believe” series, Donald Rosenstein explains how his family has adapted and grown, thanks to his son Koby’s diagnosis of autism.
That Koby has autism is old news at this point. We’ve grieved, survived and adapted. We’ve learned to be more patient, to celebrate more modest victories, and to connect with Koby whenever and however we can. Now, when Koby flaps, I’m happy for him and what it means about his engagement, not sickened by what it might mean for his and our futures.
… I believe that “reframing a problem” can help to overcome it. But adaptation is not the same as becoming tolerant of or inured to something. Adaptation allows for creative possibilities. Koby has adapted to us and we to him, and through this process our family has discovered deep and meaningful connections with each other — connections we never thought possible.
Dr. Donald Rosenstein is the clinical director of the National Institute of Mental Health, specializing in psychiatric care of the medically ill.
Earlier post here.
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on Sunday, April 27th, 2008 at 7:19 pm and is filed under NOT2BEMISSED, autism, families, parents, personal stories, siblings.
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