Oh Mason: 🎒Backpack🎒Growing up there wasn't much talk about disabilities and I never heard the word "autism" until probably after college and then some. It likely wasn't until I was fully immersed in this world that I could look back at kids I went to school with that I just knew as "different" and now be able to understand them more. There was one boy in my grade in particular that made an impression on me and has some similarities to Mason that now just makes me smile. One time in middle school I saw from afar some kids picking on him at lunchtime and squirting condiment packets all over him and his backpack. I couldn't believe what I was seeing and went running from where I was to help him. The kids teasing him ran off when they saw me coming and I was met with an innocent bewildered expression on the boy's face that pierced my very soul. How could anyone do that to someone?!! I talked to him and took his backpack into the bathroom to clean it off and handed it back to him. I don't think he said much to me and just walked away (which he didn't have to--I knew he was glad I was on his side). ❤️ Now having a son that could be potentially be caught up in a similar situation--I cringe at the thought. Every parent hopes that will never happen to their child! We have been fortunate for understanding, loving, kind, patient people that have advocated for Mason and treated him like a buddy. I could ask for no greater gift! Thank you wonderful people who love my son just as he is and embrace him fully! My hope is that everyone will look outside themselves and include the person with no friends, who looks different, who doesn't speak all that well, etc. The world could use a little more love! There are no limits on how much our hearts can give! ❤️ #autism #ohmason