We are saddened by the recent events at the Boston Marathon today. We offer our prayers to all who are affected by this tragedy. It seems like every time we turn around there has been a horrifying situation and something else we never thought we would need to find words to talk to our kids about.

After the Newtown shootings, it took me days to decide how I would talk about the situation to my kids and how I would assure them they were safe. Especially with the media swirling with the misinformation that because the shooter has Asperger's, this somehow tied into the cause. I was so scared for both of my children returning to school but even more so because of the labeling that had started to take place against those with Autism. There were Facebook pages popping up saying that people wanted to burn someone with Autism, the media continued to stress in each report that the shooter had Asperger's. It was the most difficult conversation I ever had to have with my own child on the spectrum who already felt the world did not approve of him after years of bullying from peers and staff.

I did all I could on social media to spread awareness and share that this was not a factor of violence. Many in the community came together to get the media to retract what they were saying and how they were saying. It was irresponsible to report in the manner they did and they were putting many children and adults in danger with this ignorance.

Days later they started to retract. One by one, the media started to clarify what Autism was and wasn't and tried to fix their horrendous mistake. But, still the damage was done and I had to have the conversation with my child that he may hear or someone may say something to him about his diagnosis and the shooter. Never in my life was I prepared for such a thing. I handled it the best I could and tried to help him know how to self advocate if this occurred.

I will never forget the look on his face when I explained it. He looked at me and said, "How could anyone think I would do something like that?" I stressed that it was not personal and that people were misinformed and it was our job to tell the truth and show what that really is.

I remember thinking, what if the media was saying the shooter was tall and that was what made him do it? How scared I would be to have a target on my back for being tall and people looking at me and wondering if I was capable of such an act? I knew he was now carrying a huge weight that he did not need on top of everything else he had endured. I went back and forth about sharing this information but knew it was the right thing to do instead of someone saying something and he would not be prepared at all which could have even worse results.

There is one thing that I kept reading over and over and saw posted on Facebook again today. It helped me talk to my kids and helped me get perspective during these scary times when even as parents we are not sure what is safe anymore. I will certainly review it again as we talk about the most recent events in Boston.

 

 

We do not know why there is such hate and evil in this world and we cannot stop bad things from happening, but we can assure those we love we will be by their side and we will stand together to get through whatever may come. There is more good in the world than bad. We just need to look for it and focus on it. 

 

May the families, first responders, community and our country find peace and assurance in the fact that many are praying and mourning with those impacted by this act and during this difficult time. You will rise again and we are all here to make sure of that.