There a lot of moments in my life I remember for all the wrong reasons.
One I am often reminded of was my experience trying to take my daughter to a ‘parents and me’ class. I didn’t end up doing it because I was never going to feel comfortable there. It wasn’t because I was going to be the only father. It was all down to the first interaction with the person that ran the class.
Looking me up and down and staring at my walking stick, “You, you’re a father”.
Words can be really hurtful, they can be brutal and those words ... they were like being the victim of a drive by. I left and began shaking as soon as I got outside.
What bothered me the most is that, to me, their definition of a parent was just so wrong. I do have a physical disability, although I try not to ever let that stop me. However, because of that I fight for my family, for my daughter every single day. They often go to bed and I’m completely drained physically and mentally because of the pain. That doesn’t ever stop me doing exactly the same the next day.
I love my family so incredibly deeply, I choose to fight for them to ensure we preserve and endure; so that my family, the one that is so perfect for me and for us, we stay together, always.
Now isn’t that really the definition of a parent?
All the best
Ross
www.mylifeautistic.com
Words – Ross A Fraser
Graphic Design App – Canva
Being judged for being me was something I was really used to, being judged for just being a father, that was one of the harshest.