"You are what you eat." Does this statement define who you are? A few might say so, but I think it goes a lot deeper than that. I've been writing these blogs for a while now and I would assume one would label me as having Autism, so I guess you could call me Autistic. However, you also know me as a father, a husband, a son, a brother, an uncle, and not too far off...granddad. So...what am I? A Christian? A teacher? A writer? A heterosexual? A lover? A fighter?
It seems like we've gotten into this habit of labeling everything. Even some of these labels have turned into fads. Anyone still remember the 'Hippies'? It's frustrating when society takes a way of life for some people and blows it up into fad. Makes me wonder if they'll try to turn autism into a fad! It's a just cause, I mean, I didn't get this from a vaccination needle or from a mere choice, but I was born with it. Now that I think about it, I guess deep down me having the label of autistic gives me the chance to be something not everyone can be; for better or worse, having some attention is good for me; I think. Looking at autism, is it a good thing or bad thing? In school, I was teased, but I didn't know why I was different...good or bad? I had a hard time hooking up with girls…good or bad? I know being autistic is not a sin, but I imagine back in the day some people might have seen it as a punishment from God in light of some unknown act against the Lord. (Which is silly, if you think about it.) So let’s not get confused, there is a big difference between what I was born with versus a choice that is made that would be sinful in nature. That's simply a decision one makes whether God likes it or not. I didn't make this choice; it's just what I have. If I wanted too, the government could have me labeled as...handicap. (No kidding, seriously.) I could fill out a form and have that label. That is not something I'd be proud of, and I doubt any other person that is handicap would be delighted to have it too. It's just something we are, but it's not all we are and I believe people forget that sometimes; they just can't get passed it.
As I've mentioned in the past, my twin daughters also have Asperger’s Syndrome, so what are they? As far as Jaimee and I are concerned they are Christen and Sarah, our daughters. When they go to school, friends, teachers, and others might see them in different ways, but they know who they are; there is no question. I sadly do know of others who don't know who they are. They think they know, but some people encourage them to say otherwise. I believe we all have to take a hard look in the mirror just to remind ourselves of what we look like and what we are...human beings that were given a soul and a mind to make decisions and to process information; to think is this right or wrong...do I rule it or does it rule me. I may have autism, but autism doesn't have me. Since I'm aware of my Asperger’s, I know how to deal with it. I am Christopher Wheat. A Human Being on the planet Earth, a child of God...with Asperger's.
Song of Inspiration [Check it out on iTunes!]:
Song: "Proof of Your Love"
Artist: for King and Country
Album: Crave
Here's the video for the song I've recommended. I pray every day that this would be...me.
(Let my life be the proof.)
WHO AM I?