“Joseph Cariello,” the moderator announced, “Congratulations on a great spring season.” The boy stood from his seat, adjusted his glasses, and climbed the steps to the stage. Dressed in khaki pants and a plaid shirt, he stood tall, with confidence. Watching him, my heart swelled with pride for who he is, and who he […]
There is an old proverb that goes like this: Tell me the facts and I’ll learn. Tell me the truth and I’ll believe. But tell me a story and it will live in my heart forever. Jack, the fact is, you have autism. The fact is, every year one out of fifty-four children are diagnosed […]
Hi. My name is Carrie. I have five kids, and my second son is diagnosed with autism. His name is Jack, and he was born on Mother’s Day seventeen years ago. Technically speaking, he is a junior in high school. Six months ago, we signed Jack up for a 3-week summer program at a nearby […]
The other day, my 17-year old son Jack asked me to drop him off at Walgreens so he could buy a couple of things. He planned to use his debit card, and when he was finished, walk across the parking lot to the restaurant where he works. To many, this doesn’t seem like a big […]
Every year I write each of my children a letter on their birthday. It describes the person they are at that particular age; their likes and dislikes, favorite activities, and overall temperament. This letter is to my son Jack, as he turns seventeen. Dear Jack, Today, you are seventeen. My second child, my Sunday son, my rule-breaker, […]
Pssst, hey you. Yes, you. The Mama whose brain is a catalogue of shoe sizes, permission slips, meatball recipes, and social stories. The woman trying to balance marriage/motherhood/autism and the cart in the grocery store. I see you. I hear you I am you. My name is Carrie. I have five kids. My second son, Jack, […]
I guess you could say I’m just a roof and windows and concrete and wood. You might think I have no soul. But this is not true. I breathe alongside the people I hold. For the past fourteen years, a family has lived inside these walls—a mom, a dad, four boys, and one pink girl. […]
Hi. My name is Carrie. My son Jack has autism. He is almost seventeen. About five years ago, Jack fell apart. I don’t know how else to describe it. It was springtime, which in New Hampshire is little more than an extension of winter. Crusty snow lingered on the ground, and the mornings were cloudy […]
I’d like to apologize for my son Jack’s behavior today. He didn’t answer when you asked what grade he’s in or look up when you commented on his height. Still you packed our bags cheerfully—the new pitcher for iced tea, the yellow placemats, the fragrant candles. But I felt a tension settle over us like […]