Mishy’s Inspirational Story. As told by his mother:
Michy ‘s birth and first month
Meet Mishy
Michy, also lovingly known as Dooby, entered this world two weeks late, weighing just 2.5kg at birth. I still remember holding him carefully, feeling like he needed the utmost care as he was so small. The doctors recommended that he stays in the hospital for a month, closely monitoring his weight gain after birth. The doctors further explained that he had a vitamin D deficiency, a form of jaundice, and would require Ultra-Violet therapy. Breastfeeding was surprisingly smooth as he latched on with ease. The doctors advised that I should visit daily and encouraged that I breastfeed often to aid in the weight gain.
I will never forget the day I checked out leaving my baby at the hospital. To say it was stressful is an understatement. Traveling daily during the harsh winter months to visit my little one in the hospital was no easy feat. The temperatures plummeted to as low as -20 degrees, making each journey very difficult but I was determined to see my son. To add to my struggles, I had a challenging experience with the epidural during childbirth, which left me with persistent backaches.
Coupled with post-natal cramps, this added an extra layer of difficulty to my daily commute. One of the most distressing moments I remember was when I arrived at the hospital one day and found my baby screaming under an Ultraviolet light. The sight of him screaming under that light was painful to watch but there was nothing I could do to help him. I just wanted to take him and hold him and tell him he was safe.
I was told the treatment was necessary, but it was difficult to watch. To add salt to injury, I could only hold him very short periods each time. The brief moments were never enough to quench the need I had to hold my baby and protect him. The hospital tried to make my stay comfortable, playing soothing music but what I wanted was to take my son home and shower him with love.
Early years:
At just 3 months old, Mishy was diagnosed with having a tongue tie, which a minor procedure rectified it. He sat and crawled without delay, but when it came to walking, his journey began at 18 months, a bit later than his age mates. We reminded ourselves that every child follows their own unique path.
Mishy had a healthy appetite and transitioned to solids with remarkable ease. He embraced our traditional meal, sadza (also known as ugali or nsima), with a special fondness. Paired with pumpkin leaves cooked in peanut butter sauce, it became a favourite. He also developed a love for lays crisps and boy did he have a sweet tooth.
However, there were certain traits that caught our attention. Mishy found solace in always having something in his hands, whether it was a cherished toy or a comforting object. Additionally, he would occasionally become overwhelmed in crowds or when exposed to loud noises, expressing his feelings through tears. At the time, we attributed it to a phase of development and doctors confirmed the same.
Speech delay
As a mother, I anticipated that his first word would be "Mama", but at the age of two, Mishy was still pre-verbal. Despite the initial concerns, doctors provided reassurance that all was well.
Then, at the age of three, a beautiful breakthrough occurred! Mishy uttered his first word, "sweetie," a special pet name I had given him. I was beyond excited after Mishy's first word, with the anticipation of holding conversations with him building up. As time went on, it was only natural to expect his vocabulary to flourish into sentences. However, instead of forming sentences, Mishy found a different avenue for his expression, through singing. He began to sing songs mainly from church pronouncing every word with remarkable clarity. He often would stop singing completely when he realised that someone was listening. This trait has continued even until today.
Autism diagnosis
Upon further follow-up with various specialists, between the age of three and four Mishy was diagnosed with Autism. Initially, I was expecting to see physical disabilities, but as time went on, I got a deeper understanding of what Autism is and some common characteristics. Over time, as I educated myself more, I began to recognize some of Mishy's traits that were unique to him, being common with other children on the spectrum. We followed the advice to begin speech therapy right away, a crucial step in Mishy’s development.
School years
We enrolled Mishy in a special school that provided the essential support for autistic children, and he adapted without any difficulty. Around the age of 5, we noticed that he had started walking on his tiptoes, even running in that manner. We consulted a physical therapist, who could not identify any underlying issues. Despite trying specialized shoes and various therapies, this unique walking style remains unchanged to this day.
Mishy had a love for athletics, thoroughly enjoying it whenever he partook in it.When he was introduced to swimming at the age of 5, it did not go quite as expected. He reacted as if the water was causing him excruciating pain, screaming very loudly. To this day, he still does not find enjoyment in swimming. Around the age of 6, his school also introduced golf, but it did not capture his interest either.
Mishy’s first encounter with Santa at the age of 6 was not what we expected at all.
To say it was a disaster is an understatement. He was utterly horrified by Santa, and we could not quite figure out if it was the Santa outfit or the unfamiliar face that frightened him the most. He screamed so intensely that he even started running a fever. We decided, “No more Santas for him in the near future!!”
He finally said Mama!!!
At the age of 8, while driving together, Mishy finally said the one word I yearned to hear. He was not keen on being in the car much longer, in his frustration, suddenly exclaimed, "Mama!!!" It should have been a moment of pure celebration, yet it carried with it a unique significance. I felt a heartache knowing he had never spoken that precious word before. Deep in my heart, I could not help but think, "So, he has always known I am his mom, even though he had never said it out loud.
Mishy Today
At 11 years old, Mishy is still a vibrant bundle of energy. His vocabulary has expanded slightly, but he is yet to be able to construct sentences. He is still the same when it comes to his sweet tooth, with a deep love for pizza, chips, and burgers. Vegetables, on the other hand, remain his least favourite. He also continues to be sensitive to loud sounds and is not very fond of crowded places.
The future
I continue to maintain a positive outlook on what the future holds for my Mishy. An autism diagnosis is not the end of the world, but the beginning of a special and unique journey. Children on the spectrum also possess extraordinary talents and capabilities. With his love for singing, who knows what paths Mishy might explore in the future? He could very well become a talented musician, sharing his gifts with the world
