Cooper Cares Spotlight: Mason Geglein
We are proud to introduce a new feature to our blog, the Cooper Cares Spotlight. We are excited to share the journeys of other special needs families, written by them, and provide a space for parents, siblings and friends to give a window into their amazing, unique worlds.
Our first spotlight is of our friends, the Geglein family, and their incredible son Mason. Beautifully written by Mason’s mom, Lisa. We hope you enjoy their story!
Mason has a bright future ahead of him. Mason is 4 years old, autistic, and has a smile that lights up the room. Mason is many things. He is loving. He is funny. He is oh so smart. He is a ball of energy just bursting to get out and run free. He loves to run, jump, climb, spin and be wild. He loves to draw. He loves playing with his brothers. He enjoys, but gets overwhelmed by, big groups of kids. He loves deep pressure in all forms, especially hugs. He loves puzzles. He loves dinosaurs, animals, the beach, the pool (this year), and most of all, he loves life! Mason wakes up almost every day excited to get started and see what fun he can find. I love how big he enjoys every thing he does. It often comes with big tantrums when it’s time to leave or the next day when it is raining so we can’t go outside but in the moment he is all smiles and now has the words to tell you how happy he is and that he loves you for making this moment possible!
When we were given the diagnosis that Mason had “severe” autism at age 2, our world crumbled. Or so we thought. We thought that everything we had dreamt for him was now impossible. We thought the happy and healthy life we wanted for him was out of reach. We thought the doctor had just delivered a new end destination with no road map of how to get there. I cried for days about anything. I cried for months over things that would now be more difficult for him. I still cry over the struggles that I know he will have in his life... just as I cry over the struggles that my other two typical sons will encounter in their lives.
This diagnosis that we thought changed our world, really only changed the way we viewed it. We just needed some guidance to visualize his future for everything that it CAN be. It CAN be whatever HE wants it to be. This diagnosis is not a disease to be cured. This diagnosis is the road map to help us ensure a happy future for our beautiful boy. Because of this diagnosis, we were able to get into therapies that we otherwise would not have had access to. Because of this diagnosis, we are able to accept and provide the support that Mason needs to succeed.
We are back on track. We see a bright future for our boy. That isn’t to say that we won’t have more difficult days ahead; however, these many therapies have taught me that therapy is just as much for me as it is for him. I do not experience the world the same way Mason does. I do not know why one type of bread is delicious and another sends him running; why raspberries are terrifying; why he overstuffs his mouth with 20+ goldfish; why he can’t stand water on his head; why putting lotion on is difficult; why haircuts are traumatic; why control over everything and everyone is so important and truly comforting; why he burrows deep below all of his covers to fall asleep; or why any change in his routine is likely to increase bathroom accidents for some period of time.
What I do know, is that I have spent numerous hours with him in various therapies helping to make daily experiences less traumatic for him. I know that if I give him a 5 minute countdown to the next activity that he has an easier time transitioning. I know that serving him 2 strongly preferred foods on days that I plan to ask him to try new foods or vegetables makes it easier for him. I know that if I read him social stories about difficult or new activities that he may even start to look forward to that activity. I know that if I give him options that he feels like he has control over the situation but I can control what the options are. I know that I can’t give him too much warning before we do certain activities (exciting or scary) because of the anxiety that it causes him. And I know that visuals help him through his day more than I will ever understand. I know these things thanks to therapy, trial and error.
If I can approach each new day, each new struggle and each new phase with this mindset, then I know Mason will succeed in living a happy and healthy life. That is all I want for him. To love and to be loved by the people he chooses to surround himself with. I just hope I’m lucky enough to always be one of them. “Acceptance is the only cure for autism.” Be YOU Mason. All day. Every day. I am here to help you.