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NH "Moms L'inked by Autism" - TONIGHT ON TLC

Unique Tattoo Celebrates a Shared Experience

Moms L'inked by Autism

New Hampshire -- Mommy tattoos are an emerging trend, but for some early adopters from the Granite State, getting "inked" is taking on a special meaning.

Airing Thursday, January 26, the popular TLC reality show NY Ink features four northern New England moms who have children "on the spectrum" -- the autism spectrum.

Autism Sisters, tell us about your experience

Why we wear the autism sisterhood tattoo with pride

by Kirsten Murphy on 01/21/12

There is no doubt that the bond between autism moms is pretty strong. I can personally attest that what got me through the past 21 years of living on the spectrum is my relationship with other mothers. They have offered me the best advice, have comforted me when I fell apart, and shared a knowing smile when I speak my "darkest" thoughts out loud. My fellow autism moms are like my own family, and I feel as protective and proud of them as any mother bear.

--- Viki Gayhardt, one of the original tattoo four

Unique Tattoo Celebrates a Shared Experience

"Having a child with autism creates a bond, a sisterhood, between mothers of the same," explains Manchester, NH's Elizabeth Webster, who designed a unique symbol to celebrate this connection. The tattoo sets a puzzle piece, often used as a symbol for the perplexing condition of autism, inside a triquetra which is the Celtic symbol of sisterhood.

Last fall, the four friends traveled to the swank Wooster Street Social Club in Soho in lower Manhattan where each had the tattoo colored and placed according to her own taste. Their hope: To kick of a nationwide awareness campaign for autism and the connection between parents that share the unique experience of loving someone who experiences this complex neurological condition.

The idea is already gaining interest: The four autism sisters have arranged for like-minded parents to meet for a tattoo party in Nashua, NH next month.

Resource: http://autismmothers.homestead.com/index.html

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Permalink Reply by Michelle Abbott on January 28, 2012 at 12:00am

I thought the show was great. I cried. I didn't cry for autism, I cried because it hit home that I'm not alone. We as parents do have a bond. We do share autism as a journey. I know all of these women are inspirations to many NH Mom's. Keep up the strength ladies. You have helped so many Mom's.