Ice Age

“It’s like entering into the Ice Age,” he said.  “We have to rethink how we do things and find new ways to survive.”   

He was referring to a professional context during COVID. As I listened, I couldn’t help but think that I knew the scene all too well.  When I picture the Ice Age, I see nothing but white. There’s no sign of a path. The ground looks all the same. How could one possibly know where to go? 

I sat in that office in Kennedy Krieger. I had probably taken way too long to get ready that day because I wanted to look like I had it all together. I sat across from a woman who had probably been in school much longer than I, given the two letters before her name. Although I was sharing the room with someone, I was alone. My husband was serving his country on the other side of the world. I sat there and tears fell down my face as this woman confirmed exactly what I hoped she wouldn’t. “Kaiden has Autism.”  

With that, Kaiden had his official medical diagnosis. Everything I thought I knew about parenting went out the window. All I could picture was barren, white snow and ice. The Ice Age. I needed a new map, new survival tactics. It would take work; it would require tears. The mourning of what was and the strength to keep moving. More than a year later, the sun is slowly starting to melt the snow, and the green blades of grass are starting to appear. Perhaps the movie Frozen 2 got it right when Anna said, “All one can do is the next right thing.”  

Allison Fournier is the Coaching and Programs Manager for The Banquet Network. For more stories like this one, go to our blog page, or click to connect, learn or donate to the mission of The Banquet Network.