Posted on 03/11/2005 6:33:19 AM PST by grellis
We all face challenges of one kind or another but today we'll specifically discuss family members with physical or developmental challenges: Autism, Down's Syndrome, Asperger's, Alzheimer's, et al. We have wildly differring opinions on more controversial diagnoses--specifically ADD/ADHD. I'm requesting in advance that we all be nice. Please post links to support groups or informational webpages if you have any. Share with us your ups, your downs, how your "normal" (for lack of a better word) children interact with your challenged child, or anything else you'd like to discuss.
Coffee's on!
You have major challenges don't you? God bless you for the wonderful attitude you have. How very lucky your children are to have you as their mom.
Jenny had a tantrum at a restaurant when she was about 4 or 5. She had started being able to ask for things like "I want bubble gum". Well for a few months, any time she asked for something, she got it. After 4 years of not hearing her talk at all, she was using a complete sentence.
Anyway, after a few months we started having to say no to her. We went to a soda to pick up some take out food, and Jenny asked for a soda. I didn't have any cash, and had used a credit card to pay for the rest of the food. I certainly was not going to get back in line and use a credit card to get a soda. So I said no (actually probably not this time). Jenny freaked out, and totally lost it. Screaming, kicking, running out of the restaurant. I managed to get her outside of the restaurant, but couldn't get her in my car. I was just sitting on the ground holding her while she was screaming.
Of course, someone managed to make a really nasty comment about her being a brat, and I just whipped back and said "No, she has cerebral palsy!" He shut up real fast.
Of course, my other two kids were sitting next to me perfectly nicely.
Jenny never had a tantrum like that again in public.
I know exactly what you are saying - and I'm not in the position you are.......yet I see it on a regular basis.
Actually, I don't think I have major challenges compared to some people.
Any time I see someone in a wheelchair, I thank God that it wasn't my daughter.
Someone who would say something like that............I'm sorry, I have no words for them........and I am not in your position.
I understand the way you look at it..........and there but for the Grace of God........
I am what is quaintly called a Mature Mom - I was almost 38 when my first and only was born, and was told all the horrors of what I might have been facing. I was very blessed.
I'm sorry you had to deal with that! I know how you feel.
When my daughter was very young, I dreaded taking her anywhere. She had meltdowns all the time, very nearly everywhere, and in those days I had no diagnosis so I didn't know it might be bright lights, strange textures, sensitivity to sound--all the things that I later learned were issues for her. And I finally figured out why she would only wear soft clothing, and wanted to wear the same things over and over.
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