A lot of us have goals and dreams that we want to achieve. We have a vision of our higher selves which we want to attain. We want to be successful, we want to live our dream lives, we want more money, we want more fulfillment, we want a higher paying job, our own business, a bigger car, a nicer house and the list goes on.
But in the pursuit of these goals or dreams, what happened when you hit a brick wall, what will you do? Will you give up, settle for a smaller goal, lie to yourself that things as they are now are not too bad or convince yourself that your present life situation is just fine. Or are you able to turn these brick walls into stepping stones and become unstoppable.
Jonathan’s Autism Prognosis
I was in that situation when my son Jonathan was first diagnosed with autism in the mid-1990s. My wife Roselind and I knew nothing about autism. I had watched the movie “Rainman” and all I could remembered was that Dustin Hoffman’s character had odd and routine behavior but had fantastic memory.
With the diagnosis, came the prognosis from the doctor which was mostly about what Jonathan would not be able to do. Autism is a lifelong disability and Jonathan would be in a world of his own, he would not be able to talk, he would not be able to have eye contact, he would not establish meaningful relationships, etc. Roselind and I were in a state of utter despair. We looked at the brick wall in front of us, it looked like a dead end and we felt that we were powerless to help our own son. We are in that state of helplessness for quite a few months. Driven by our desire to help Jonathan reach his full potential, Roselind and I came to the realization that we were young, educated and resourceful. That was in the mid-1990s and we decided then to buy our first home computer (which was a desktop with floppy disk). And when we made connection on the internet with other parents of autistic children and get to know what they were doing for their children, we became empowered to help Jonathan.
Zero Services And Facilities For Treatment Of Autism
Through the internet we learn of the many interventions and treatments that can be used to help autistic children. That was when we hit our next brick wall. We are from Kuching and even for Jonathan diagnosis we had to fly to Kuala Lumpur. Those wonderful facilities, services, interventions and treatments that we learnt about in the internet were not available in Kuching. At that time there are zero facilities for autism in Kuching (even the Sarawak General Hospital did not a speech therapist) and there were even doctors that we met here that had not heard about autism and we had to educate them. Roselind and I knew that if we want to bring these services and facilities for Jonathan, we had to be the ones to bring these facilities to Kuching.
Formation of Sarawak Autistic Association
Around that time, we also made contact with other parents of autistic children. Together, we decided that we should formed an association that would look into the needs of autistic children in Kuching first and then Sarawak. Forming an association was something that was new to us, and we were not sure what to do next. Therefore we decided to ask for advice and the feedback that we received were mostly very negative. Forming an association is a very complicated exercise, even to register the association would take at least 2 years. Where would you find the financing to set up the facilities for the autistic children? Where can you find qualified staff to run these facilities? These were valid concerns and to start any association from scratch with zero resources was very difficult.
Roselind and I, together with 2 other husband and wife teams were the founding members of the Sarawak Autistic Association. Roselind was the founding President, I was the founding Vice-President, one couple was the founding Secretary and Assistant Secretary with the last couple the founding Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer respectively. We had to rely on our resourcefulness to turn these brick walls into stepping stones. We managed to register the association within 6 months, the Registrar of Association was then very sympathetic towards our cause and facilitated our registration. We recruited our first teacher Mina, who used to be Jonathan’s kindergarten teacher. Jonathan was kicked out of a number of kindergarten but at the last kindergarten under Mina’s care, Jonathan was able to remain there for about 1 year. The six founding members then contributed our own money to send Mina to training with the National Autistic Society Of Malaysia (NASOM) which was located at Kuala Lumpur. Mina started teaching our 3 autistic children initially at one of the parents’ house. We then shared Mina’s salary and other expenses between the three families. From this humble beginning, the Association (which was later renamed Kuching Autistic Association) overcame various obstacles and problems and now it has its own buildings and offers therapies, intervention programs and other services to more than 80 autistic children and adults.
So whatever difficulties or issues that you are facing right now, do not let these difficulties become your brick walls. Let them become your stepping stones. Turn your struggles into success and you will be unstoppable.
Follow me and stay positive.
Do check out my previous posts.
Living The Life Of My Dreams
The Steemit Website Is Down But If You Looked Hard Enough There Can Be Some Opportunities
Positive Reflections: Continue To Dream And Dream Big
Newbie Nuggets: How To Profit From Commenting On Other Peoples’s Posts
Positive Reflections: The Day I Walked On Hot Coals
Spreading positivity one post at a time.
Charles
If you like my writing please up-vote, share and comment. Please help me to spread the message of positivity and support on Steemit by resteeming this post.
I feel somehow knowing that you would think the reason why am saying what am about to say is so you would probably upvote me or follow me or whatever, probably because my reputation is on the low side, but thats far from the truth. I had not even gotten to the part where you wanted to start talking about your son's condition when I made up my mind that this post deserves a resteeming. I relate to it somuch, it's just like you were talking about me.
Don't ever settle for less because of obstacles. The journey was not easy for me, but am glad I have achieved what I was aspiring for that seemed impossible. Thanks so so much, you don't know how much this encourages me and a lot of other steemians. I would have upvoted, but no steem power for now
I really appreciate your comments. I try not to judge other people's actions especially I do not know the motivation behind their actions. I am a motivational blogger and your comments spurred me to continue on here. And thank you so much for the re-steem. Following you.
You welcome. Thanks
You welcome. Thanks
Good to connect with you.
Yep right even I have just started with STEEMIT..And I love to using it
Thanks for visiting and commenting.
img credz: pixabay.com
Nice, you got a 6.0% @minnowbooster upgoat, thanks to @positivesteem
Want a boost? Minnowbooster's got your back!
So touching, children with autism is so brilliant. I know some of them, its so wonderful to play with them.
Thank you for your comments. Some the children with autism have savant skills.
You are welcome. I am teaching some autism children. It was so amazing around them
I am happy to hear that. We need more teachers like you.
😍😍
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What people call failure is nothing less than an authentic 100% died in the wool stepping stone to success.
Have you ever studied the Yin Yang symbol? Within the dark is a seed of light. Within the light is a seed of dark. If you notice they are both shaped like a stepping stone.
Loved your attitude. We think alike. I will pay a closer look at the Yin Yang symbol. Following you.
@positivesteem , thank you for this story. No brick walls. There are only stairs. They come in different heights. Some overcome very easily, but there are too high. And it will require persistence and patience.
And with persistence and patience, surely you will succeed. Thanks for your very positive comments and for dropping by.
Great post!! It just goes to show that with the right mindset you can achieve just about anything. Good on you guys and congratulations on the achievements you've made :):)
The journey with my son is not easy. But as you correctly pointed out, with the right mindset, nothing is impossible.
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My brother also has autism and was diagnosed in the mid-90s so he must be about the same age as your son. We are in South Africa and my family also didn't know much about autism initially but we learned a lot over time. Thankfully there was a school not too far away, for children with special needs, which he could attend. Thanks for sharing your story and raising awareness.
My son is now 27 years old now and so my wife and I are exploring the facilities for autistic adults. Most the facilities available now in my hometown Kuching, are those that were established by the association. I am happy to know you and am following you now.
I love your story. I hope you always be good with your family. Have a nice day.
Thank you for your well wishes. I wish the best for you and your family too. Following you.
I followed you back. Thanks
Very inspiring, never give up that is all about.
I am a motivational blogger, so I am happy that I am able to inspire you. Life is about picking yourself up and not to give up. Following you.
In the 90's there was very little help for Autism. We had to do research and find most of the answers on our own. You have the right attitude and have done a fantastic job with your son.
My son is very lightly on the scale so I didn't get the diagnoses until he was older.
As parents, we try to do what we can. As there were no facilities then, we have to set up the facilities ourselves. I am glad we make the connection, am following you now.
I am glad we made the connection too.
Amazing writeup, you must be proud of him!!
Thank you so much, appreciate your visit and your comments. I am happy to connect with you and am following you now.
I applaud your positive outlook and your persistence in helping other families find the resources needed to help motivate them to keep going. The number of children being diagnosed with autism is growing exponentially and it is hard even today for those families to find the resources needed. Blessings to you, your family and friends that took up the challenge to make the world a better place. Reposting your article to my social network as it will give hope to those struggling today and for those coming to the struggle in the future.
Let peace always be the journey,
@vickiebarker
Once again thank you so much for your support. We try to do what we can and in the process others have benefited as well, that is the legacy that we left behind to make this world a little bit better.
Once again thank you so much for your support. We try to do what we can and in the process others have benefited as well, that is the legacy that we left behind to make this world a little bit better.
Congratulations, sounds like you have done a great job - and not just for your own family!
Cheers
Thank you so much for dropping by and for your comments. I am happy that I am not only helping my son but others as well. Do keep in touch.
For sure - I keep an eye out for your posts on the unmentionables discord
Cheers
That is great. Anyway this is the link for my latest post.
https://steemit.com/steemit/@positivesteem/success-leaves-clues-series-how-jerrybanfield-succeed-at-steemit
That is great. Anyway this is the link for my latest post.
https://steemit.com/steemit/@positivesteem/success-leaves-clues-series-how-jerrybanfield-succeed-at-steemit
Great post @positivesteem , thanks so much for entering it in my #popcontest to share with everyone ! You are so right "We all canTurn struggles into success and be unstoppable !" I was glad to see your last Original photo added ! Good Luck , upped and resteemed !💕✌👍
Thank so much for helping to share this important message of positivity. In the face of the brick walls that we face, we must not settle for less than what we can be.
So true my friend !! Keep up the great work in all that you do !!
Thank you for your encouragement.
Your very welcome ! Love your positivity that you share with all of us !
Loved your visual. It brightens my comment section
Loved your visual. It brightens my comment section
Thank you for your encouragement.
This post has received a 5.08 % upvote from @booster thanks to: @positivesteem.
It is wonderful you started such a positive organization!!!
This organization is now helping a lot children and adults with autism.
This wonderful post has received a bellyrub 14.17 % upvote from @bellyrub thanks to this cool cat: @positivesteem. My pops @zeartul is one of your top steemit witness, if you like my bellyrubs please go vote for him, if you love what he is doing vote for this comment as well.
Congratulations on your great achievements. My nephew is austistic and my sister had a really hard time finding help. Now though thanks to the amazing help of a group she helped to form he is doing really well and has lots to offer society.
Great post mate.
Thank you for sharing your nephew. The cases of autism are rising exponentially and the level of services just cannot keep up this increase. I do believe that autists can contribute a lot to society.
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It is an extremely noble thing to set up an autistic asoociation in Kuching. Kuching needs more people like you & your wife. Support support support!!!
It is an extremely noble thing to set up an autistic asoociation in Kuching. Kuching needs more people like you & your wife. Support support support!!!
Thank you so much @arthurchan. It is not easy to do but very worth our efforts. It is also through the generosity of the people of Kuching that the association is able grow and now have its own buildings.