Throwback Thursday: That’ll Do, Pig.

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Today I’m posting two very different and entirely unrelated pictures for Throwback Thursday. Gotta keep you all on your toes.

This first one makes me laugh because I really don’t remember ever posing with a pig, much less with Babe himself. Judging by my hair and the maternity shirt, it was a little over 5 years ago. You’d think a girl would recall such a monumental event. I’m sure I was forced into this picture by my loving husband because of the fact that I can imitate Babe’s voice pretty spot on. Its not something I whip out on demand, but I do use it as a party pleaser at holiday family gatherings. I can’t disappoint my fans.

This second picture is almost 2 years after the first one, and is one of my least favorite in my entire collection, and I honestly wish I had the nerve to delete it permanently. This picture represents one of the hardest (if not THE hardest) times in my life. Charlie is just over two years old here.

This picture was taken at Thanksgiving, and you can see its not usually what kids wear (or rather, don’t wear) at their Thanksgiving celebrations. What you can’t see is that right next to him is all the men in our family taking a big family photo together. Charlie wanted no part of it. We took this photo to at least have a pic of him on that day, despite the way we all were feeling.

This photo represents a time when Charlie’s Autism had taken over his whole self. His whole world. He refused to wear clothing because (and I can only assume this, because he was not verbal at the time) it hurt his little body just to wear sleeves, tags, waist bands. We could never comb or cut his hair, because he couldn’t handle the sensory aspects of it without total meltdowns. He refused to be in photos, never mind smile. His world was entirely separated from everyone else. He couldn’t tolerate our world, and he couldn’t even speak to express how or why things bothered him, so he’d just scream. All. day. long. Since he couldn’t tolerate our world and we couldn’t get inside his, he was isolated. His sadness, isolation and lack of joy broke our hearts every single day.

We were blessed beyond belief shortly after that Thanksgiving. Through the financial help of both sides of our family, Charlie started intensive therapies. He got the early intervention that so many children don’t. His brain not only healed, but he learned skills to cope with his sensory problems. He isn’t entirely in our world now, but the two worlds are finally connecting. We have finally met the son that was inside that little body all along. He’s passionate, loving, and a comic at heart. He finally found joy.

I realized after writing all this, that its only fair to post a pic of him now, to compare and rejoice. Here’s Charlie this past weekend, almost 3 years after that last photo:

Love.

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August 2, 2007 | Filed Under Autism, Throwback Thursday

Comments

8 Responses to “Throwback Thursday: That’ll Do, Pig.”

Adventures In Babywearing on August 2nd, 2007 8:06 pm

This is the best Throwback ever! Keeping back tears!

Steph
MomOf3 on August 2nd, 2007 9:34 pm

Wow! What a smiley, happy little boy he has become! What an amazing comparison!
JaniceNW on August 3rd, 2007 12:39 am

Wonderful that Charlie is doing better. Early intervention is critical. While this reminds you of a terrible time, you can also use it as a measure of how far you’ve come.
Shana on August 3rd, 2007 2:50 am

What a story you have to tell. Your little boy is adorable.
Stam House on August 3rd, 2007 12:43 pm

I love charlie’s smile on the last one! thanks for commenting, would you mind me adding you to my read?
Suburban Turmoil on August 6th, 2007 2:47 am

Wow. I’ve been reading a lot about autism lately (I mean, can you believe 1 in 150?! and I don’t care what “they” say, it’s obvious even anecdotally that there are way more autistic kids around than there were when we were kids- My mom was a special ed teacher and she agrees). I’m glad Charlie is getting the help he needs. He certainly is adorable.
Crooked Eyebrow on August 30th, 2007 1:25 am

What a inspiring story. Charlie is adorable and I love his smile!

I’m so glad to read that he was able to get early therapy…
Leah McChesney on May 19th, 2008 8:43 pm

Arianne, that is just wonderful. He is really beautiful. I cannot imagine the pain you all suffered through. You have great faith and courage. thanks for sharing.