Having a child with autism brings heartache at times, but also incredible joy. As a mum, I ride all the emotions.
I love my child with ferocious protection. My heart feels made of glass when I hear stories of my son spending an entire day at school without a friend. Kids can be cruel. Bullies find gentle targets and show no mercy.
My eldest son Nixon is 13 and loves horror movies, watching sport and his dog named Major. Wrapped up in his autism are other challenges. Nixon has Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), dyspraxia, dyslexia, dyscalculia, low muscle tone and sluggish executive functioning. The acronyms are endless, as have been the thousands of hours we spend at therapists.
But the stories of kindness are extra special when I know his days are often lonely and long. My sister-in-law is in her 50s and has been married to my brother for 28 years. Narelle was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. She is having chemo weekly and has lost her hair. My brave relative is in the fight of her life.
Narelle started watching a horror movie once a week with Nixon a few years back that has turned into a magic gift. Narelle lives at the Gold Coast. So, every Sunday she rings Nixon at 4pm on the dot and they talk about the movie they are about to watch.
They hang up and Nixon watches the movie with a tray of food and a promise of no nagging from me. I am a sook and can’t bear to watch any movie with blood and torture. When their movie ends, they ring each other and discuss it. Genius idea, right? It is the highlight of Nixon’s week.
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It gives him something to look forward to each weekend. Narelle is a busy woman but always makes time and treats Nix as an equal. We can never repay her kindness. I am sure Narelle is Nixon’s best friend.
My clever sister-in-law recently finished a PhD from CQUniversity in Rockhampton and is now Dr Narelle. The academic bosses flew to the Gold Coast for an annual meeting and while there, they held Narelle’s PhD ceremony, as she cannot travel. In her speech, Narelle thanked Nixon for giving her strength in the battle of her life.
Sometimes the gift of time and reliability is priceless in life. And sometimes the most unlikely of pairs become soulmates.
Sami Muirhead is a radio announcer, blogger and commentator, wife and mum of three.
