So, I was considering those darned ransom notes and I thought "What about love letters? Wouldn't they be a better way to raise awareness and instill some positive exposure?"
Well, being the type of person I am, I went ahead and wrote a couple. (If I'm going to complain, I might as well offer an alternative, right?)
Here are my "Love Letters"
"Dear Mom and Dad,
My condition may be puzzling to you and you may be wondering why I behave and react to things the way I do.
You may notice as I grow that I need extra help in understanding myself and in dealing with the world around me that I experience so much differently than you do. Sometimes the world can be painful or frightening to me and I don't know what to do.
I know it will be hard for you and me but I appreciate your patience as I learn to accept myself and grow as a person. I may not always repond the way you want me to since it is difficult for me to express myself when I'm under stress.
Please understand that normal for me is different than normal is for you and other people.
Please know that I love you, despite not always being able to tell you so all the time, and not being always able to control my behaviours, reactions, experiences, etc.
I trust you to help me be the best person I can be and I love you dearly for it.
With Love from:
Your Autistic Child
xxx ooo"
And for ADD/ADHD
"Dear Mom and Dad,
You're probably wondering why I am so full of energy and having a hard time concentrating on one thing or another. My reason for this is because I have a lot going on in my mind and my body which I have a hard time slowing down...it all gets very overwhelming and I don't know whether I am coming or going some days!
I have a lot of passion and great ideas that I want to share with everyone but have a very hard time keeping track of them all. I realize that this may be very frustrating to you and my teachers at school, but I do try very hard to learn and do the things I am supposed to do. It's very difficult and frustrating for me too.
What I really need is understanding and some help with focusing and quieting my mind which is always racing. I trust that you can help me to accept who I am and become the best person I can be.
I love you and thank you for all of your patience over the years. I really appreciate it!
With love from:
Your Amazingly Passionate Child with ADHD
xxx ooo"
Now, these may sound silly since I just came up with them, but I think they're more positive than what is out there.
Why can we not raise awareness of things with a positive spin?
This might be a neat exercise for folks to try if they want to...write a love letter about your condition, or even a love letter to your child, friend, client, etc. who has a difference?
You'd be amazed at the difference kind words can make in the life of a person who sees and heard very little that is nice about him or her!
One will always catch more flies with sugar than with vinegar! (A silly saying, I know...I mean, who wants to catch flies?? But still, it makes sense in this context. More people respond to nice things than they do to nasty ones.)
Just my thoughts for today...
