Apex2006 1071 Report post Posted November 24, 2010 It wasn't too long ago that I found out that my son had special needs, and since then I have learned that you find support in the strangest places. Many of the people that I used to hang out with and go out for dinner with are now a little distant! I had a group of friends that I used to do everything with. Now it seems that they just don't understand what is involved when you are raising a child with special needs. As I keep repeating to them that I can't go to a restaurant with my son as he cannot eat 90% of foods that are found in restaurants, they seem the be blaming me for not being around like I used to. Of those friends there is less than a handful that I can count on. As I attend different social events for work or different organizations, I am meeting more and more people that are in similar situations as me. The biggest thing that I came to realize is that almost none of these people are complaining on how hard it is to deal with children?s special needs but more how proud they are of there children?s successes. That is cool! My friends with what you would consider ?normal? kids do nothing but complain on how hard it is to raise them. Even when talking to family members I find that they don't understand or don't want to understand the needs that these children have. It just makes it hard to try and talk to them especially when they think that the reason for his behaviour is because you can?t hit your kids these days. I have been a member here for quite some time and I found out that I can always count on having someone to talk to or hearing something good that happened in someone?s life here on CERB. I have had some long chats with some people on this site about anything and everything. Like I have said in the past, it?s sometimes easer to talk to a stranger then a close friend or relative. From reading the joke to reading the General section, there is always something good or something worth reading. I read a thread on ?our kids little giants? made me feel good, and I read the ?what have you learned here?, and it made me think. I read the ?5 freaking riddles? it made me feel less intelligent. (Thanks for that one) It just goes to show you that you can find support, friendship in the most unusual places. Apex 14 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Loralee Reach 245 Report post Posted November 25, 2010 Apex we are all "special needs"; Your son may not go to a restaurant and eat 90% of the food they serve there, but he is your son and the other people being there is not!!! If someone resents the fact that your son comes first....make me a favor and tell them what I think here about them.... they should accommodate to you if they cared about you, not you to them...I hope you do not really give a darn about those persons you wasted time with in the past.....do you? Loralee Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest al****s Report post Posted November 25, 2010 I completely agree with you. CERB and the people here have taught me so much. I am so thankful for the wonderful people that I have come to know and have become very fond of all of them. I am happy to call them friends and really enjoy talking to each and every one of them. Great thread! :) alexis...xoxo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Emma Alexandra 123367 Report post Posted November 25, 2010 FB you made me smile..your a great father. Big hugs Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VedaSloan 119179 Report post Posted November 25, 2010 I know that your post wasn't about your son and friends specifically, but more about finding friends in strange places, but I have to say: if your so-called friends are distant, it is their loss. I'm glad you're a part of this board. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roamingguy 300292 Report post Posted November 25, 2010 Alot of people don't understand. I don't have kids myself but I am lucky to be the uncle of a 7 year old who is special needs. Born premature, given 6 months to live (that was 7 yrs ago)...he is a happy boy. People who don't know would think he's slow for his age (in terms of certain things, such as eating, toilet training etc)...in fact the strides he has made, people wouldn't know how far he has really come Sorry for the rambling, and good for you, family, especially your kids, comes first, always RG Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest i***k*** Report post Posted November 25, 2010 This is a great community regardless of what some nay sayers might think! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Apex2006 1071 Report post Posted November 25, 2010 Thanks everyone for reading my thread, I just wanted to let people know that this site has lots of great people. You are all proof of that! Apex Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
antlerman 17064 Report post Posted November 25, 2010 this site is a great place.....no question about it......not only does it give some distraction to the day to day melodramas in our lives....like Apex said....is it a great place over all.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest S***e Report post Posted November 25, 2010 Glad to see that you are doing all you can and what's best for you son. My friend has an autistic child and her support sytem remains very much in tact fortunately. I wish you all well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites