Witness, hope, honor, and an elephant for Katie.
Ok, it's been almost a month since the Witness and Hope conference, where I met Mr Mike McCarron & a bunch of other people-some who I remember, some who I don't. Meeting Mr. McCarron was a joy, and I wish I could find the picture of us on my computer to post because he is just...the storybook grandfather. He told me more about Katie, I cried (it didn't help that I had just been up on the podium and ended with talking about Katie, and the pink ribbons for Katie, and how if it weren't for "cure advocacy" I wouldn't be wearing one, because she would be at home alive and happy...and I lost it in front of the mic. Not something I usually do). Mr McCarron told me about giving Katie ice cream, and about how when you become a grandpa you are required to get a huge camera and take pictures of everything...and really, he is a delightful man.
So for me, I guess Mr McCarron is the strongest witness to hope I had ever seen. He isn't hoping for some miracle to bring his Katie back. It's too late. As I understand it 'cure' was never on that side of the family's agenda, as they were doing education in whichever Carolina. Just hope for justice, and hope for better, safer futures for other autistic people. Through tragedy, he has become a fierce ally. Woah. How many people would crumble? I sure would. Or I'd get angry in the impotent kind of way, or the a little too potent kind of way...but not like this.
I have the ribbon, and try to remember to always wear one. I have one on my gymbag, one on my oh so cool injection pack that looks like a purse, but that didn't feel permanantly attached enough. When I got home from NYC I had to amuse myself before gymnastics...and all that was there was a mall. And I found it.
A tiny elephant charm, one that looks like a baby elephant, silver. Very small. Definately too cute to be mistaken for the republican elephant. She's small enough to safely hang on my medicalert bracelet even for athletics.
An elephant because Katie loved the zoo. And an elephant because they NEVER FORGET.
I won't forget either, Katie. I won't forget you or your new friends in Heaven.
So for me, I guess Mr McCarron is the strongest witness to hope I had ever seen. He isn't hoping for some miracle to bring his Katie back. It's too late. As I understand it 'cure' was never on that side of the family's agenda, as they were doing education in whichever Carolina. Just hope for justice, and hope for better, safer futures for other autistic people. Through tragedy, he has become a fierce ally. Woah. How many people would crumble? I sure would. Or I'd get angry in the impotent kind of way, or the a little too potent kind of way...but not like this.
I have the ribbon, and try to remember to always wear one. I have one on my gymbag, one on my oh so cool injection pack that looks like a purse, but that didn't feel permanantly attached enough. When I got home from NYC I had to amuse myself before gymnastics...and all that was there was a mall. And I found it.
A tiny elephant charm, one that looks like a baby elephant, silver. Very small. Definately too cute to be mistaken for the republican elephant. She's small enough to safely hang on my medicalert bracelet even for athletics.
An elephant because Katie loved the zoo. And an elephant because they NEVER FORGET.
I won't forget either, Katie. I won't forget you or your new friends in Heaven.
posted by Kassiane at 4:36 PM
6 Comments:
And it was an honor to hear your speech----and meet MIke McCarron----something never to forget.
I'm grateful Mike agreed to share that photo of Katie near the lake. The image of a little girl I never met, I will never forget.
That's so sweet, the elephant charm, and never forget. Never forget.
Lucky me - Mike sent me photos of him with you Kassi (and you Kristina) and he's promised me a piece of the ribbon to wear with pride.
He is one of the finest men I've ever met. I just wish we could have met in another way.
I can assure you, the honor was mine. I enjoyed meeting you very much. You are a very intelligent and courageous young lady; I learned quite a bit from you in a short period of time. I wish there had been more time. Your comments remembering Katie moved me beyond words.
I completely enjoyed the day. Rarely have I found so many genuinely nice people all in one place.
I will forward the picture of us standing together.
If a neurotypical passed away you wouldn't give a shit. If an autistic died, you'd mourn for him like he was your boyfriend.
You have such a terrible disorder. It's pathetic that you have to be adopted at the age of 24 by some ignorant man from crazymeds.org who couldn't pass high school and who shares the same problems as you.
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