KarenAutism

Autism advocate and B. Phil. Sp. Ed. Autism University of Birmingham; #TEDxspeaker. My son changed my life... and career!

[KarenAutism @KarenAutism]

@SteveBroach I’ve been around the scene for a few years now. Worst ever?

[Dr Emily Cooper @criminographer]

On Saturday 24th August, we're doing a fundraiser for @SUDCUK1 called "Amble for Alexander". We'll travel along Cleveleys prom, starting at the cafe, Anchorsholme Park at 10am, finishing at Scoop Ice Cream in Blackpool to celebrate with, you guessed it, an ice cream for our boy!

[KarenAutism @KarenAutism]

@PaulaMc007 Incredible. What a dude…👏👏♥️🙏

[Emma Garner @ejgarner85]

Today is #NationalBereavedParentsDay. Surely that’s worth a stop-scrolling-and-read-this-post moment? Please? 💫

Talking about child loss is a completely normal daily occurrence in our family. Talking to a brother that is not there. Including a son in day to day life that isn’t seen. Carrying his ashes everywhere I go, in jewellery, wearing his handprint around my neck, never to be taken off.

But when I step outside my norm, I realise how un-normal these conversations and things can be seen as.
But why? Children die. Sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, cousins, nieces, nephews. Mothers, fathers. Grown up children. Children die everyday. And left behind are broken parents, bereft families, unsupported families, expected to adapt and bounce back.

This is NOT possible.

Child loss forever changes every single part of your life. Your thoughts, feelings, relationships. Your friendships, your work, your commitments. Your mental and physical health. Child loss causes estrangements. New and unexpected friendships/relationships. It evokes feelings that you didn’t know existed and would never have thought possible. It makes you question your very existence, and that of others. Every ounce of your being is tested. You are metaphorically broken into a million pieces and will never be put back together in the same way again. But you will go back together…in some way, at some point. It won’t be pretty and you won’t be how you were before. But this isn’t a bad thing…

Today, I want bereaved families to know that they’re not alone. To those that talk about it, that raise awareness, that fundraise/commemorate their children in their own way - I hope this brings comfort and peace.
To those that find it too challenging to openly talk, please know that you are not alone. Your feelings, your intrusive thoughts, your bitterness, anger, angst, sadness, relief. Your trauma and your existential grief. I relate. I empathise. I know. I really, really know. I’m there. Always.

Please, if you do one thing today to acknowledge National Bereaved Parent’s Day, give this a #share or #retweet. #repostit. If just one bereaved family can be offered a tiny amount of solidarity, hearing from another, then my post made a difference. People reaching out to me at my darkest time made more of a difference than they’ll ever know.

Thank you.

#BereavedParentsDay #BereavedParent #BereavedMother #BereavedFather #ChildLoss #InfantLoss #ChildDeath #SIDS #StillBirth #StillBorn #TFMR #SUDS #TomsJourneyUK

[KarenAutism @KarenAutism]

@KensingtonRoyal God bless you and all of your family. You are brave and beautiful. 🙏🙏🙏💜💜💜💜

[KarenAutism @KarenAutism]

@PaulaMc007 Groundbreaking in the wake of extreme, ongoing heartbreak and missing.
One boy. One woman… influencing for change with other amazing people…x🙏♥️👏👏👏👏

[Paula McGowan OBE @PaulaMc007]

#Oliverscampaign
My heart is swelling, I am so proud of all of you

[Dr Emily Cooper @criminographer]

Our story features in @takeabreakmag today. Please buy, share & raise awareness. We will only find treatments and cures for #ppa2deficiency if we push for research & for more answers for families affected by #sudc. For Alexander, for Isabelle and all affected children. @SUDCUK1

[KarenAutism @KarenAutism]

@75ThunderRoad ♥️👏

[KarenAutism @KarenAutism]

@PaulaMc007 Aw, thank you. They send love! They help me with my work and the kids adore them. Nick my pencils during art sessions though, lol! x

[KarenAutism @KarenAutism]

@PaulaMc007 Here are just a few when I got home!😹😹😻😻

[KarenAutism @KarenAutism]

@criminographer Beautiful, incredible family… Sending more love, more respect. And 🙏🙏🙏🙏♥️♥️♥️♥️x

[Paula McGowan OBE @PaulaMc007]

#Oliverscampaign
Would my followers please share this wonderful tweet
#Autism #employment #jobvacancy

[KarenAutism @KarenAutism]

@criminographer 🙏🙏🙏♥️♥️♥️She is so gorgeous. Worry-cleaning is so understandable. A has got it covered though… x♥️

[KarenAutism @KarenAutism]

@criminographer @LauraGraham86 @DrLynziA Magnificent. Utterly… A will be so proud…💜🙏x

[KarenAutism @KarenAutism]

@criminographer 💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔

[Paula McGowan OBE @PaulaMc007]

#Oliverscampaign
If you know anyone aged 18 years & older who is autistic or has a learning disability & wants to get involved in delivering Olivers training the contact is in this link.
Please know that this is paid work, at least a Band 5

https://t.co/mNKYe5lGcA

[KarenAutism @KarenAutism]

@PaulaMc007 Truly magnificent… x👏👏🙏♥️