I saw a different side of awareness the other day.
I was in the car with two friends, driving to an autism resource fair. It was Saturday, April 2nd. World Autism Awareness Day. My friend in the driver’s seat has a child with Asperger’s. My other friend’s son was diagnosed this past fall with PDD-NOS. He’s three.
My friends were in the front seat talking about running and other such things. I was enjoying sitting in the back seat alone, something I rarely get to do.
I tuned back into the conversation when I heard my friend in the passenger seat say “Did you know that the Boston Garden had blue lights on for autism?”
I looked up and caught the eye of my other friend in the rear view mirror. She smiled at me. She knew I knew. Because I had written about it here. And here. And here too.
“Ask Alysia”, she said. “She has a blue shirt on today.”
My friend turned around to me. “You know about this?”
“I do, ” I said. I explained that April was Autism Awareness Month, and that as part of the “Light It Up Blue” campaign, landmarks all over the world were turning on blue lights. I rattled off the list: Fenway Park, the Prudential Building, the Empire State Building, the Sydney Opera House, the statue of Jesus in Brazil…
“They were even trying to get the White House to turn blue for the day.” I said.
My friend’s eyes grew wide. And they got teary.
All she could do was mouth the word “wow” to me. And then she turned around and was quiet for a moment.
Right then I realized the importance of the “Light It Up Blue” campaign. Yes, it’s just a symbol. But for a mother who is still struggling with everything related to her son’s diagnosis, it meant much more than that. It showed her that for one day the world stood with her. And as she attempts to understand what is happening with her child and as she fights to get her son all the help and services he needs, she now knows that there are others fighting along side her. All over the globe.
Light It Up Blue
Before this, I thought of the awareness campaign as a way to help people not connected to autism learn more about it. My friend reminded me that it’s also about showing people within the community that they are not alone. That there are others who understand and will accept her son as he is. That we will be here to help her get through the difficult days.
It is for my friend that our yellow house is now blue.
“Blue moon, you saw me standing alone
Without a dream in my heart, without a love of my own.
Blue moon, you knew just what I was there for
You heard me saying a prayer for someone I really could care for.” – Blue Moon lyrics
Try Defying Gravity 
April 6, 2011 at 12:52 pm
once again moved to tears. you are going to change the world ms. alysia.
April 6, 2011 at 4:57 pm
thank you, but I don’t know about that :). But it’s nice to see all the lights and know it’s not just us.
April 6, 2011 at 1:23 pm
Just one more reason. Sometimes a symbolic gesture is all you need. Even though I know we’re not alone, I’d have liked to have looked out to see another light shining. At least I know there is more blue out there.
April 6, 2011 at 4:57 pm
I know. I wish I lived close enough to see your lights 🙂
April 6, 2011 at 1:36 pm
right on! Just driving around our neighborhood and seeing 6 houses who went blue was amazing. when you think you are alone and then you can see that no you are not there are other people just in your own neighborhood. My son wanted to run up to each house and tell them me to. 🙂
April 6, 2011 at 4:58 pm
wow! that’s amazing! And so is your son. That’s pretty cool that he wanted to share his excitement with all your neighbors!
April 6, 2011 at 2:02 pm
Loved this post!
April 6, 2011 at 5:00 pm
and I love all of yours too!
April 6, 2011 at 2:07 pm
Can I say “WOW”, too!!
April 6, 2011 at 5:00 pm
of course 🙂
April 6, 2011 at 8:39 pm
This says it so beautifully…sometimes we just need to know we aren’t alone.
April 6, 2011 at 9:24 pm
yes. and we were excited whenever we saw other blue houses. we also got several questions which gave us opportunity to “spread awareness.”
April 7, 2011 at 12:08 pm
in tears darling
April 7, 2011 at 9:06 pm
Alysia, remember the stories about my sister-in-law having trouble understanding RM and autism? Well… the “Light The White House Blue” campaign really moved her.
Her porch light is blue.
We’re getting together for Easter – she is making reservations and asking for a quiet table so that it isn’t too much for RM.
It IS about knowing that the people around us everyday are learning – making an effort – standing with us.
xo
Thanks for sharing, Mama!
April 10, 2011 at 8:54 am
wow! way to go Rachel and SIL! That’s really amazing. Good for her and good for you for never giving up 🙂
April 8, 2011 at 4:30 pm
what a great conversation…and what a great feeling. I’ll never forget going to the spd symposium, a few weeks before our dx, and feeling completely moved, overwhelmed and humbld that there were so many people in one room who knew what I felt, or were there to learn more about kids like my kiddo.
Three years later, my lights are blue and spreading awareness is working. My wonderfully cluelss and ditzy aunt planned blue outfits for a week… the questions, and responses, amazing. Say what you want about the Light It Up Blue campaign… but it gets people talking. Love this A… good job!!
April 10, 2011 at 8:53 am
Thank you! I love your story about your aunt 🙂 Now that it’s nice out and I see people walking by our house at night, they are looking at our light. I want to go out and tell them about it, but…I’m not quite there yet…
BTW – next SPD symposium, we’re there together!
April 12, 2011 at 11:04 am
Sadly, we are the only house in our neighborhood that is lit up blue, but it has been nice to see all the places around the world that support us.
April 12, 2011 at 11:15 am
we’re the only blue house here too. It does look lonely, but it gives me comfort every night looking out at it.
April 12, 2011 at 11:10 am
Oh, how was the fair? I never heard back so I didn’t think you were going.
I had to explain the whole blue thing to my husband. Even he didn’t know.
April 12, 2011 at 11:15 am
It was a last minute decision to go. It was good. I’ll send you a message about it.
April 12, 2011 at 11:13 am
I’ve been a preschool teacher for about 18 years,and I have a little boy in my class this year who has Autism. He’s taught me more than I’ve taught him this year. The other children in my class have shown empathy way beyond their years…they help me when he becomes frustrated or when the noise in the class is too much for him. They know the paintbrush rubbed on the backside of his hand calms him and they run to soothe him.They play with him and make sure to hold his hand while they’re all walking in line. They treat him like any other child is treated in my class.I watch this child take a step forward and then two steps back,but I’m there to show him it’s ok- one step is better than none,and one step can add to many in the course of a year. I’ve seen 3,4,and 5 year olds do things for this one child,and help him to do things for himself,and my heart swells with pride. These children’s parents also help by following through at home what I’ve taught their children concerning this one child. They also volunteer in my class when they see that this child is going to have a stressful day,and they’re all amazing people. I’m proud to say I’ve had a tiny part to play in this child’s life,and in the lives of the children in my class this year!We’ve learned a lot!
April 12, 2011 at 11:31 am
this is awsome and my son got alot of that help from his peers at the younger age also now that he is 13 he gets more teasing and no friends from his peers. it is really sad that it cannot be followed through, through the years. i was also lucky that he had teachers like you that would help and get the class involed and to understand his special needs. you play a HUGE part in this childs life god bless you and those children and the parents that are helping to teach thier children love and compasion
April 12, 2011 at 12:19 pm
If I could,I would follow this child throughout his school years and help him to learn to walk away from teasing and bullying. It’s sad that kids can be so cruel,but I think it’s done because they don’t have or haven’t learned true compassion for others.
April 12, 2011 at 11:58 am
Maxcine…..i don’t know what brought me to tears more the initial story or y.ours… my daughter was diagnosed at age 6 as Mentally Educablly Impaired and I was told she would never be where she “should be” as far as metality age wise…she was put into the Special Education program in 2nd grade. I thank God everyday for the teachers that she was blessed with. Not only did they help her with acedemics…they impacted her life deeply. She is now 20 and still goes back to see those teachers. You are also a blessing…not only to that little boy, but also to the other classmates that you have taught to help him instead of discrase him. Thank you also for sharing your story… 🙂 p.s. maybe now if i walk away from here..i can put on my mascara!!! jeesh!
April 12, 2011 at 12:21 pm
We need more compassionate and caring teachers to maybe mold those so-called “Normal” kids into “caring and kind normal kids”.
April 12, 2011 at 12:26 pm
Maxcine – you are an inspiration to me and obviously many others reading your comment. I wish every teacher could be as passionate and compassionate as you are. You are making a huge difference in not only this little boy’s life, but his parents as well. On behalf of all of us with children like the one in your class, I say thank you. So glad you chose to leave your comment here on my blog so I could learn from you.
April 12, 2011 at 7:33 pm
I saw this on Facebook and just had to share my story. Just when I think I’ve seen it all as a Preschool teacher,something else happens to prove that I chose the right career. This year has been a real eye-opener for me!I’m glad there’s a place like this to share my little story.
April 12, 2011 at 2:09 pm
Wow! My 4 yr old son has autism. I participated in Light It Up Blue and personally bought and passed out to my friends 20 blue bulbs from the Home Depot fund-raising. I cleaned out the store’s remaining supply, actually. (I was so pleased to see they had all been bought!) I posted about it on Facebook, I called other friends, I passed out puzzle-piece ribbon for everyone’s name badge at work for the month or hopefully they will keep it longer. Top of my list for giving blue bulbs were 2 co-workers with kiddos also on the spectrum. Despite all this, I never thought about all this as a way to support each other! You are SO right! I’m so glad this was featured on the Autism Speaks facebook page – I’ve found another wonderful blog! Thank you!
April 14, 2011 at 9:19 pm
Wow! I can’t believe your Home Depot was cleared out! That’s amazing! Thank you for leaving a comment. I am so impressed by all that you did for light it up blue!!!
April 12, 2011 at 2:42 pm
Yes! We have been living with the diagnosis of PDD-NOS for a year and a half now and of course it is important to educate others about Autism Spectrum Disorders! But over this last year it has surprised me just how much knowing others out there and CONNECTING with them and knowing we are not alone has meant to me! I have been craving this special connection all this time! Thank you for sharing this perspective!
🙂 Karen
http://www.chameleoninthespectrum.wordpress.com
April 14, 2011 at 9:20 pm
If there has been an upside to this diagnosis, it’s that I’ve finally learned that others are going through what we are. Seeing all the blue – and reading all the blog posts like yours – remind me of that. Thank you.
May 10, 2011 at 8:28 am
[…] home. I smiled as I saw our blue porch light shining to welcome me home, knowing that the same blue light was shining at my friend’s house. For my friends, and all those who light up the path so we […]
May 12, 2011 at 8:54 am
I’d never thought of these other benefits of awareness campaigns either, it’s great to know and thanks for sharing on Blog Gems x
May 14, 2011 at 8:44 am
I had never heard of the blue light campaign…very nice.
To know that one is not alone is comforting. I’ve always liked the color blue. I shall look for a blue porch light.
April 2, 2012 at 10:18 am
[…] could light it up blue for the families who drive by my house so they know they aren’t […]
April 1, 2013 at 9:43 pm
Goosebumps. This is so true, we are all more than “aware” and educated but it is for the new parents that we need to show support. Love this.