Several years ago an acquaintance described me to one of my very best friends as “a real mover and shaker.”

I was honestly a little offended. I don’t know the person who said it well, and I was really curious what exactly she had heard that was making her say that about me. I mentioned it to a friend whose response was “well, I mean you kind of are.”

I stopped and thought about it and realized she wasn’t wrong.

Nowadays, I often describe myself as a recovering people pleaser. I’m trying to really care less about what others thoughts are on me and doing right by myself and those that matter the most to me. But that doesn’t mean my moving and shaking days are behind me.

I don’t think that’s who I am as a person though. I think it’s who I became when autism entered our lives.

You can’t be afraid to shake the trees as an autism parent.
You can’t be afraid to disrupt the norm.
But what you can do is work to leave it all just a little bit better than you found it.

Many years ago our movie theater used to offer a “sensory friendly” movie showtime. It was Saturday mornings, usually the newest kids movie offering. The lights weren’t quite as dark, the sound wasn’t quite as loud. The kids in attendance could ask questions loudly without parents constantly shhhhing them, and could jump up and dance in The aisles if the need struck them during the movie. It was awesome.

We took Seton to the drive in theater a few weeks ago and he talked almost the entire time. He LOVED the drive in, but the experience there made me send an email.

You might call it a moving and shaking email.

The theater manager remembered the sensory movie showings. Said she’d be willing to bring them back if there was demand. I made a few posts on FB and found out there was in fact demand.

And now? They’re coming back. I’ve gotten messages today from families that said they’ve never even tried the movies with their kids because they just knew it wouldn’t be successful and they were super grateful for this upcoming opportunity. There were even more families who said they’ve tried and had to leave shortly into movies because their kids couldn’t handle the noise, or the need to be quiet.

I’m glad I sent the email. I’m glad that the theater is willing to bring this back. I’m really glad it will create opportunities for kids and families to have a fun experience at the movies together.

I’m also grateful for that acquaintance who called me a mover and a shaker. Now that I’ve gotten past the offensive part of it, I’ve instead chosen to see it as a badge of honor.

Because if you’re moving and shaking in the name of leaving everything a little bit better than you found it- that’s a win for everyone.