MY SUPERHERO
Autism through the eyes of a Father
About
MY SUPERHERO BY SEAN DE JAGER
~ A son with autism and a father battling his inner demon ~
His screaming, crying, arms and legs flailing, overwhelm me as they always do.
I need to calm the storm raging in my mind. I need to see this through to the bitter end,
before I succumb to the wonders of mind numbing alcohol, my saviour.
Mind churning, tears flowing down my cheeks unabashed,
I start mumbling my daily mantra “I love you just the way you are.”
It calms me while I keep pushing and pushing until the only thing visible
above the water are his eyes, mouth and nose. Then silence.
The calm, after the storm.
MY SUPERHERO
"Each developmental milestone achieved is a victory. There is nothing too small to celebrate.
With each accomplishment I felt my heart swell with pride, and I couldn’t wait to brag about his latest one.
Super proud of how far he had come, I couldn’t help but think back to the hopes and dreams you have when you hold your new-born baby in your arms for the very first time. Yes, my hopes and dreams for Ruan became different dreams, but I loved him, and I was so proud of each and every one of his accomplishment.
I didn't want it any other way."
- Sean de Jager
With each accomplishment I felt my heart swell with pride, and I couldn’t wait to brag about his latest one.
Super proud of how far he had come, I couldn’t help but think back to the hopes and dreams you have when you hold your new-born baby in your arms for the very first time. Yes, my hopes and dreams for Ruan became different dreams, but I loved him, and I was so proud of each and every one of his accomplishment.
I didn't want it any other way."
- Sean de Jager
PRETORIA FM INTERVIEW 30 JULY 2020
