“I need a Mombulance!”
“I need a Mombulance!”
I think the first time I heard that phrase was when I truly BELIEVED that my son having Asperger’s (as it was diagnosed at the time) was actually a really cool thing. Let me explain…
In our very busy household of 4 boys, screaming, yelling and crying were fairly normal occurrences, to the point that my husband and I, upon hearing the eventual cry of, "MOOOOM!!" or less frequently, "Daaaad!", were used to replying with, “Is there blood?” before hauling ourselves away from various essential household duties (like reading or polishing a motorcycle) in order to judge the seriousness of the situation. (Tip here: don't yell that in front of your mother-in-law at her birthday party. She doesn't appreciate creative parenting strategies). But, that day, as I glanced up from a fairly absorbing conversation about my friend's marital struggles, the response, when asked for clarity on the inevitable question, "Is there blood?", had me on my feet pretty quickly.
My second oldest neurodiverse son, usually the quietest, had immediately answered, "I need a MOMBULANCE!". Knowing that his brothers usually answered for him, I immediately concluded that this time, the events might be a tad more serious. Heading up the stairs, and at the same time marveling at the impressive smashing together of the words Mom and ambulance, I’ve got to admit, I was apprehensive, but pretty impressed all the same.
I can't remember what actual calamity had befallen my eldest that day, but I certainly remember that maternal pride, in my second son, that filled my heart. What a creative combination of words that so very accurately expressed both his distress, and its severity. How freakin’ awesome was that!
I had always felt that my son was pretty cool, if not often misunderstood, but my breakthrough thinking that day was that the way his brain worked should be marveled at and not encouraged to become more ‘typical’. In a world where different is often discouraged and/or regarded with skepticism, I would argue that different definitely means better! My ultimate vision is to shine a light on the awesomeness of the autistic brain and make plain how acceptance and tolerance of the uniqueness of my son's brain, and others on the Spectrum, is crucial to the growing and cultivating of this amazing resource.
Autism is his superpower. It should be celebrated and coveted as a very powerful tool to be considered and used in order to solve at least some of the world’s problems.
Maybe all the world needs is a Mombulance. Or a Dadbulance? But that doesn't have quite the same ring to it...
