Originally Posted by patteeu (Post 9903760)

I'm fortunate enough to have kids who are healthy and that's stressful enough. I really can't imagine how difficult it must be to take care of children who have serious, long term health problems whether physical or mental. I have a great deal of respect for the people with the strength to do it.

Originally Posted by NewChief (Post 9903803)

And let me add:

While my disabled son's condition is a source of heartbreak for my wife and I from time to time, if my other son were to go down the wrong path, that could possibly be an even greater source of heartbreak, guilt, etc.. because of the wasted potential.

Originally Posted by patteeu (Post 9903774)

:thumb: That's all I meant by asking what "louder" meant. If it's just a kid out in the back yard in the afternoon swinging on a swing set while singing off-key at the top of his lungs, it seems like something the neighbors ought to be able to deal with. If it's banging on the side of a tin shed with a hammer at 6 am, the parents should probably take the hammer away or keep the kid inside for a couple more hours.

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO (Post 9903857)

they said it was "wailing".


to me that means he is expressing himself in his own way. probably sounds like he is yelling at a higher volume.

Originally Posted by Pestilence (Post 9903634)

Once again....not in the same aspect of what you're going through....but my 6 year old daughter has to get 24 hour EEGs 3 or 4 times a year to measure her brain activity. So for 24 hours...she has to wear electrodes on her head...and her head is then wrapped up so she doesn't mess with them. All of the electrodes are attached to wires that run down to a backpack that she has to wear. Everytime that my daughter gets one done....my wife takes her out for lunch and to pick out a small toy.

My wife called me crying one time because they were out eating lunch and some lady walked by the table they were sitting at and said under her breath "she shouldn't even be here.....keep her at home next time". ****ing **** is lucky I wasn't there because I would have snapped.

Originally Posted by Mosbonian (Post 9903885)

I think in another thread on here I posted the story of when people's stupidity got the best of me while we were on a trip to WDW. I absolutely embarassed the guy in line who made a reference to my son right in front of his family (wife and 2 kids). After it happened I was feeling real good about what I had done when I caught up to my wife and kids. My son....my Special Needs son mind you....looked at me and said "Dad, why did you do that? It's not his fault he doesn't understand. How are you going to make him understand better when all you did was yell at him"

Talk about a reality check....my wife looked at me and smiled....and all I could think to do was find the guy to apologize. My son and I purposely stood at the Exit to the ride so we could meet him and I could apologize to him and his family. When he approached he was a bit sheepish but my son stuck his big paw out and introduced himself...for that moment I felt like the Child and he was the Parent.

Your children teach you so much....

Originally Posted by Mosbonian (Post 9903885)

I think in another thread on here I posted the story of when people's stupidity got the best of me while we were on a trip to WDW. I absolutely embarassed the guy in line who made a reference to my son right in front of his family (wife and 2 kids). After it happened I was feeling real good about what I had done when I caught up to my wife and kids. My son....my Special Needs son mind you....looked at me and said "Dad, why did you do that? It's not his fault he doesn't understand. How are you going to make him understand better when all you did was yell at him"

Talk about a reality check....my wife looked at me and smiled....and all I could think to do was find the guy to apologize. My son and I purposely stood at the Exit to the ride so we could meet him and I could apologize to him and his family. When he approached he was a bit sheepish but my son stuck his big paw out and introduced himself...for that moment I felt like the Child and he was the Parent.



Your children teach you so much....

Originally Posted by InChiefsHell (Post 9904151)

It takes a special person to do that, and I ain't one of them.

Originally Posted by InChiefsHell (Post 9904151)

I was at the food court at a mall with my wife about a year ago. There was a group of special needs kids in wheelchairs. I mean, severe. The people taking care of them came into the food court probably for lunch, and I was absolutely astounded at how well they were with these kids. I can't think of any other way to put it except vegetative. Looking around, not seeing anything, just pitiful. But the people with them talked amongst themselves and to the special needs kids like there was nothing wrong.

I guess for them there wasn't. I actually teared up a little at the whole thing. It was beautiful and terrible all at the same time. I have 2 healthy "normal" kids who give me enough grief. My hat's off to those who care for these people. It takes a special person to do that, and I ain't one of them.

Originally Posted by Mosbonian (Post 9903885)

I think in another thread on here I posted the story of when people's stupidity got the best of me while we were on a trip to WDW. I absolutely embarassed the guy in line who made a reference to my son right in front of his family (wife and 2 kids). After it happened I was feeling real good about what I had done when I caught up to my wife and kids. My son....my Special Needs son mind you....looked at me and said "Dad, why did you do that? It's not his fault he doesn't understand. How are you going to make him understand better when all you did was yell at him"

Talk about a reality check....my wife looked at me and smiled....and all I could think to do was find the guy to apologize. My son and I purposely stood at the Exit to the ride so we could meet him and I could apologize to him and his family. When he approached he was a bit sheepish but my son stuck his big paw out and introduced himself...for that moment I felt like the Child and he was the Parent.

Your children teach you so much....

Originally Posted by kepp (Post 9904230)

So...serious question. My daughter is 6 years old and (like a lot of youngsters) says/asks whatever is on her mind most of the time. Sometimes when we cross paths with a family with a special needs child she'll ask something along the lines of, "Daddy, what's wrong with him." I'm usually not sure what to say, but will say something like, "Nothing is wrong with him. He's just a little bit different from you." Given your experiences, what do you think would be a good response?