You know a book has to intrigue me when I buy a hard back copy. (Okay, so I bought it at Costco so I’m not a *complete* tight wad.)
This is the story of Rupert Isaacson and his crazy vision to travel to Mongolia to consult with shamans to heal his son of autism. (And yes, I see that evangelical hand wave furiously in the back to tell me how demonic this all is….settle down for a minute and listen, okay?)
This book touched me on so many levels. While our trials were no where near the intensity the Isaacsons dealt with….it still brought back plenty of memories. (Having a high energy toddler with Sensory Integration issues is no walk in the park.)
And I remembered all too well the frustration of wishing my boy would just play with a normal toy….not a circuit board. Wondering if I could get through a store without an obsessive trip to see the potties.
I found their story absolutely gripping. It is a love story in its purest form….a parent’s battle for their child. I appreciated Ru’s candor and transparency in talking about the raw emotions of dealing with a kid for whom tantruming was a part of life.
Kristin, his wife, and also a practicing Buddhist…inspired me with her perspective on “self-compassion”. (You’ll just have to read it for yourself. It’s on page 64. 
)
I know, I know…you’re asking…so DID their son, Rowan, get healed of his autism? I won’t make you wait….the answer is….
Sort of.
He had amazing improvements in certain areas. But again…here’s where I loved their perspective. Ru differentiates between a “healing” and a “cure”. These wise parents were able to look past some of the challenges that Rowan has an autistic child….and see some of the amazing gifting he possesses. (One of which is the ability to connect with animals on a very deep level.)
To have him completely cured would remove that gifting.
I know for me I had a real turning point when I realized that the challenges we were dealing with in Daniel….were simply part of the package that he came with. I remember asking God to heal Daniel….and the whisper I heard oh so clearly in reply was, “I made him that way.”
Theories abound as to why autism is on the rise. Environmental? Vaccines? Increase in diagnosis? Maybe a little of it all.
It beats me. The theories are best left to people far smarter than I.
But I do know that kids with differences offer opportunities to see the world in new ways….and as illustrated by the Rowan’s parents….a peek into the depths of love’s beauty and devotion.
Sort of reminds me of another story…
PS Get more info on their ongoing work to help autistic kids using equine therapy here.
Filed under: ADD/ADHD, Labels are for Soup Cans, parenting, PDD-NOS, Personal development, Special Needs' Kids | Tagged: ADD/ADHD, Autism, equine therapy, Horse Boy Foundation, learning differences, PDD-NOS, Rupert Isaacson, The Horse Boy | 1 Comment »
