My kids are becoming masters at the bob and weave. People with Autism often struggle with anxiety and sensory overload when it comes to crowded, unfamiliar places. It would be easy to just throw in the towel (yeah, another boxing term), and avoid these situations. But life is not meant to be lived with your head buried in the sand. We want to get out there and live! So we teach our kids to bob and weave when things become too much.
We made our annual trek to Planet Comicon last month. This year, Stan Lee was going to make an appearance, so the kids were super excited! In typical Autism fashion, we planed like crazy. We packed snacks, water, the laptop, headphones. We want the kids to have fun, but we want them to have some comfort items when they need to bob and weave.
This year, Nik wanted to dress like his favorite Doctor Who, the 12th Doctor. Noah wanted to wear his Ant-Man costume.
Before we get started, you should know that most photos were taken by the kids. I think they did an awesome job!
Because we knew Stan Lee would be a big draw, we got to the convention really early. This meant that we were close to the front of the line, but it also meant a long wait before the doors opened. We killed some time watching movies on Nik's laptop. This helped ease anxiety with the huge crowd of people coming in.
The masters of the bob and weave!
The kids were able to sit on the ground for a bit, but as the crowd swelled, we all had to move forward. Good old Alex held the laptop so the kids could still watch their movie.
Every good fighter need a cut man...I mean dad!
And here we are with a few hundred friends.
Before long, we were told to move to the side. 501st was entering the convention, and we had a perfect view right in front!
We were so close, that the kids got high fives and fist bumps by several of these cool guys!
Nik took this accidental artsy photo.
Before we knew it, the convention was open! Let's get ready to rummmmbbbbblllleeee!
Nik really wanted to meet Jenna Coleman, from Doctor Who, so we went right to her line.
We were close to the front of the line, but it took her over an hour to arrive for autographs. Nik got pretty tired of waiting. But just when he was about ready to crack, she arrived! He only wanted an autograph, so we don't have a photo with her. But she was very nice! By the time we were done with that line, it was already noon. We took a lunch break and people watched. Bob and weave, people!
We ran in to some pretty cool dudes!
The convention was packed! Everything has a long line. Crowds and long lines are not something that are easy for people with Autism. This is what it looks like when a kid has had enough.
But this family does not throw in the towel! Bob and weave we go.
We found a quiet corner and enjoyed some of the snacks we brought in our backpack. Our Stan Lee photo session wasn't until 4pm, and it was only 1pm. We killed time in the Timey Wimey Puppet Show. What? A Doctor Who puppet show?! Don't mind if I do!
All better now!
It would be so easy to just give up and go home. Sometimes you have to bob and weave through life. No shame in that. It's all about making it to the 12th round without getting knocked out, right?
We love the 501st Legion. They do wonderful charity work, and have always been amazing to my kids.
Finally it was 4pm, so we made our way over to our photo op with the master of comic books, Stan Lee! We were only a few people away, when Stan Lee needed a break. I mean, the dude is in his 90's. I can only imagine how exhausted he must have been! But the kids were pretty tired, and we had to do a bit more bobbing and weaving.
But we made it! Look at those happy boys! Noah is throwing his Spider-Man pose with Stan-freaking-Lee!
I've said it so many times before. We have to push the kids out of their comfort level. It's not easy, but the payoff is amazing! Bob and weave through life, and you will come out a winner!
The prize, a huge Tardis filled with nerd gear!
RIP Mohammad Ali. You were a great inspiration.
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