A reader messaged us this picture over on our Facebook page. [Click here for our TTAG Readers’ Family Photo Album. Message us your favorite snap.] I asked him to tell the story behind the image. And so he did . . .
Ever since my son was diagnosed with a sensory disorder and on the autism spectrum, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to share my love of guns and gun culture. He had an aversion to loud noises and people guiding his hands for instruction. I had tried to get him involved before but the loud noises scared him and usually once he was scared of something he would never try it again . . .
I had all but given up on sharing my hobby until I was at a friends farm plinking and my son told me he wanted to shoot a gun! I immediately grabbed my GSG 522 and sat down with him and told him about the Four Laws. I sat with him in amazement as I guided his hands to the grip and safety. He pulled the trigger once and giggled with glee!
I was so proud of him and let him empty the magazine into the target (he hit nothing but dirt) but he was having the time of his life! I would still be proud of him if he didn’t like it, but seeing the joy in his eyes made me tear up a little!
It can sometimes be difficult for a parent of a special needs child to know what that child is missing out on, but having a “normal” father-son moment brings a little normalcy to our lives.