Coronavirus and autism: a blue ribbon for freedom
“If you see a mother and a child wearing some blue garments or blue ribbons walking in the neighborhood, don't scream, don't insult them!”, Thus begins the desperate outburst of Patrizia Cristiani, Turin mother of a child with autism. "I am a mother of children with autism who went out to try to calm their anxiety." The post, shared by the woman on Facebook, immediately went viral, responding to her need to raise awareness on the issue. Vito, her son, is 8 years old and has been autistic since he was 2 and a half. But Vito is not only this. Vito is a sunny, enthusiastic, active child and, now that he can no longer go to school or rugby, it is really difficult for him and his family to maintain that level of "normality" that they have painstakingly achieved over the years.
The desperate hunt for the oiler can have tragic consequences
Unfortunately, as often happens, the problem is the fanaticism that certain dramatic circumstances help to create. The desperate hunt for the greaser has meant that people like Patrizia and Vito have become the object of verbal attacks by individuals who, tried by the current climate of terror, have vented all their frustration on them. As she explains herself, “the law says we can go out and in fact we do, being careful of distances and always wearing something blue. But people do not always understand, and they judge "and, below, reports an episode in which she and her son were insulted by a motorist who, stopping at appearances, obviously has not the slightest idea of the discomfort experienced by some families in this situation.
Less restrictive measures are required for them
"Vito greets everyone hugging them and now that he can't, he starts crying on the street", continues the appeal of this mother, who asks for less restrictive measures not only for those with autism, but also for all people with mental disabilities. or psychiatric pathologies. "Fortunately he is not self-harming like many autistic children, but he often goes to the window and throws objects to make us understand that he wants to go out. We must always be very careful. But who has an autistic adult child, how does he do it?".
For those who are familiar with autism and the resulting discomforts, even if it is minimal, they will know how difficult it can be for those affected to understand the meaning of these restrictions. If faced with extremely strict prohibitions, the hyperactivity of those who are autistic could lead to episodes of aggression or self-harm, especially now that it is not - momentarily - possible to count on the support of specialized therapy centers or on the - fundamental - support of the educators who provide them with home care.
April 2: World Autism Awareness Day
In this regard, this super mom reminds us that April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day, whose symbol is the blue color. “On Thursday we will try to go out with a blue sign on, or a blue cloak for both parents and children. It will be a time to bring our problems to public attention ".
What, then, does Patrizia's reflection teach us? It teaches us that this dramatic situation can be an excellent opportunity for us to rediscover the value of empathy, the magical power of putting ourselves in the shoes of others, when they suffer or rejoice. Only in this way will it be possible to go beyond appearances and shake off the subtle temptation of judgment.
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