Growing up in a small town in the south, I saw things that most people only still exist in the movies. I knew of segregation like it was still the 1930s in America. By segregation I do not only mean segregation by race, I mean segregation by many different ways. Race, class, and abilities were all separated in a small town like Holly Springs. Of course, since it's the south, many people seem to focus on only race but now that I have a special needs child, I see that when I was growing up, segregation is much more than just about race.
The day before Christmas Eve, a tornado hit Holly Springs. It is reported that the F-4 tornado was on land for approximately 132 miles. That's a lot of damage, to a lot of people, two days before Christmas. See the thing about a natural disaster is that you are not spared based on race, class, or abilities. When a tornado is on land for 132 miles, you'd better believe it's going to damage the wealthy, the poor, the white, the black, the healthy and the disabled.
I have had a lot of friends on social media posting pictures and comments about the disaster. Each and everyone are heartbreaking to see. I have heard from my family that utility crews have worked around the clock to restore power over the past week and that the town has pulled together in this time of need to help each other despite the segregation that is common in the community.
There is one story that I cannot help but to have on my mind daily since the disaster. When I was growing up in Holly Springs, I didn't know anyone that was special needs. I didn't understand the difference in private and public school systems and I didn't know that I was completely blind to the reality of what families go through when they have a child who has needs that are outside the scope of what can be provided in a private institution. Through social media, I have learned that there is, in fact, a whole different side to my little town of Holly Springs. One that, without the power of those social connections online, I would have never known. There is a little boy in Holly Springs who is autistic and non-verbal like Aubrey. Everyone calls him Boo. His mother, Linda, has an in-home daycare. I am certain that, just like myself, Linda's schedule must revolve around Boo. Boo is several years older than Aubrey so I find myself looking to Linda's post about Boo to catch a glimpse of what could be in store for Aubrey's future as a non-verbal child. I know that no two children are alike but I can't help but to follow Boo's journey. Two weeks ago, Linda posted a video of Boo in speech therapy. She was absolutely ecstatic because Boo said "Ma" as in Moma for the first time. I have repeatedly watched the video and cry every single time. She was so proud of him and the smile on his face clearly shows him acknowledging his accomplishment. One week after witnessing an amazing accomplishment, I was devastated to see the post of the weather that was striking Holly Springs and Boo. At the time, Linda had five additional children in her care in her home. My heart sank thinking about the confusion and distress that Boo must have been experiencing. I could imagine myself trying to calm Aubrey in such a horrific disaster. I know how stressful a trip to the grocery store can be for an autistic child and now here this mother was with her special needs child and children that she is responsible for in that moment. The sheer adrenaline that Linda must have felt would be overwhelming to most. The tornado did damage to their home, they had no power but luckily there were no injuries. I have watched for post from Linda over the past week and even though her life has been turned completely upside down, she remains positive. They stayed in a hotel briefly but have returned home now. Being in a home with no power, or internet for that matter, with an autistic child is only something a strong woman could handle. That might seem insignificant compared to everything else that happened to people in Holly Springs but for one second imagine you having a child, in the aftermath of a tornado. You want to know his thoughts, feelings, understanding of the situation because it's extremely traumatic for anyone. He can't tell you those things though. I would be concerned that Aubrey worried about her friends from school or that her grandma was safe. I know she would never explain all of those thoughts or fears on her talker, yet she would still have those them. I am grateful that Linda and Boo are okay but my heart is still broken for the damage and confusion that they have gone through and will continue to work out.
I am encouraged to see that the little town of Holly Springs has put all of the segregation, that I knew growing up, behind it and is moving on to a modern day mentality. I see all of the support that Linda and Boo are receiving on Face Book and I see her post on everyone that is helping her out. I also love how grateful Linda is for the community she is in. She is surrounded by support and love and in return she is able to be a great and strong mom for Boo.
For more information on how you can help the town of Holly Springs, please see the links below.
https://www.facebook.com/MarshallCountyHollySpringsDisasterReliefEffort/?fref=nf
https://www.gofundme.com/8ug6vjxm
https://operationbbqrelief.org/
https://www.gofundme.com/u3g6xfw4
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