This has been a difficult week but it ended well. On Sunday, I heard the news that a child was missing in the woods north of our house. Not much later, I learned that the child in question was Robert Wood, Jr. For those of you living outside the Richmond area, Robert is an 8-year old with autism. He is nonverbal and his skills are somewhat limited. He wandered away from his father and brother during an outing at a local park on Sunday and they have been searching for him all week. I was nervous as a parent who could only imagine how challenging it would be to know your child was missing. I was riddled with anxiety as someone who works regularly with children with autism. I know that these kids can sometimes bolt and run, even when you are providing conscientious care. Any time a child goes missing it is stressful but when that child cannot communicate effectively, the risk is that much greater. I was also sad and scared because I know Robert. I k...
My periodic musings on life.