text: April. The month we, as a global community, come together to spread awareness on Autism. Social Media is pretty much blue, puzzle pieces are everywhere and pictures of our beautiful children are being shared with great momentum. It is all great. It is all for such a good cause and it is all done with the hope to spread awareness.
  Here it is, the 8th of the month and I have yet to share a picture or make a post. Why? I have in so many past years, one a day in fact, with powerful messages and the desire to be seen and heard.
  Why is it different this year? I thought about this and I just do not feel like being “seen”, I am not in “celebration” mode. I love my son and I will continue to work so hard and so fiercely for all he is and all he needs, but, I am also struggling with the changes, the transitions happening and the fears of what lies ahead. That is the truth. My spirit is still there, but it is a quiet spirit right now. One that is hopeful for acceptance more than awareness. One that is hopeful for change when it comes to our education system and one that is praying for answers and direction into an unknown territory.
  I am not a good liar, so if I made posts, it would be with half a heart. I am crazy passionate about what I believe in and for me, for right now, I am choosing to take this path. Maybe next year I will feel differently, maybe not.
  I will be cheering on all of the pics and thoughts I see everywhere. I will be sharing incredible stories from our readers and sponsors and I will be with our boy, doing what we do. I support all of the awareness spreading we can get done, I truly want acceptance and I know our efforts, quiet and loud, will all be one more step to get us there.
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  Filed Under: Articles, Featured Tagged With: autism, parenting, special needs
  About Carissa
  Carissa Garabedian is the publisher of Know Different and mother to a special needs child in Richmond, Virginia. Carissa also publishes the award-winning Macaroni Kid of Richmond.
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