The MAAP Quarterly Newsletter :

     On March 7, I went to hear Dr. Kathleen Quill of Teaching Children with Autism give a presentation on communication enhancement.  I’m not writing to sing her praises, although, indeed, I could easily do so.  I’m writing about my day in an Inferno.  
     The day before the engagement, I contacted the personnel at the “lovely-right-on –the-Ohio-River Galt House” to see how the recent flooding might impact my arrival.   I was informed that there would be no parking on site. And, I was told, there would be a shuttle to the Fair Grounds for the after-program activity.  Once arriving in Louisville, I was overwhelmed by the wild horde of maniacal drivers searching for that most treasured of all prizes: THE PARKING SPACE. Then, imagine my displeasure when I discovered the other two bus loads of people waiting in the same place for MY bus. I confidently whipped out my cell phone and called a cab. (Stay with me now… gets better.) 
     Enter, typical cabby.  Total FEAR.  PANIC. Despite my advance preparations, I arrived an hour late.  No matter, I was finally sitting in front of Kathleen Quill, and I was ready to learn. I began to frantically take notes when I suddenly noticed that my last note said “BREAK”. Ugh. The rest of the morning and afternoon  went well. (Stay with me; it gets better.)
     After the programming, I searched in vain for the mass of persons heading for the Fair Grounds shuttles.  No masses.  The Galt House personnel knew nothing about the shuttles.  No one would admit to talking with me earlier about the shuttle.  They directed me to the front entrance and told me to wait.
     I waited…I waited. For more than an hour I waited.  I even saw Kathleen Quill taking her evening stroll.  I took this as an omen.  Something was wrong.
     I started a conversation with another mom.  We spoke about sensory integrative theories, a new topic to her.  We agreed to continue our conversation after her husband picker her up.  I was feeling good. I was certain that God had brought us together to enable us to share in my wisdom  (BIG OOPS).
     Except, I took a ride from a stranger.
     Except, they misunderstood where it was that I needed to go, and dropped me off at the AIRPORT.
     Except, not wishing to further inconvenience these kind people, I decided to call another cab.
     Except, I left home too early in the morning, and it was now too late to be able to stop and get cash.
     Except, my credit card was useless. The cabby wouldn’t take it.
     Except, I only had $5.35 and the cab fare was $7.50
     Except, every time I tried to call anywhere, the machine gave me back my quarters.
     Except now all I wanted to do was cry.
     Finally I remembered an “emergency dollar” buried in my purse.  I also remembered seeing four or five quarters in the ash tray of my car.  
 I had three cents left after the cab dropped me off at my car.  I paid the fare, and of course, I had to explain it to the cabby since I didn’t have a tip.
     After he left, I cried.  I literally sobbed out loud.
     It wasn’t until a quiet moment after dinner that I realized what God had given me that day.  HE HAD GIVEN ME A DAY IN THE LIFE OF MY SON.
    You see, my beautiful son Patrick lives each day with Asperger’s Syndrome.  Every day he lives, he lives a day much like the one, solitary day I described for you….