Re: Re: Going camping ...WE'RE BACK - Patti

[Guest guest]

Patti--

First of all, welcome! Where in California did you live? I went to California for my honeymoon, which seems like 9,000 years ago. I loved Napa Valley!...ah, wine country...I could use that right about now after the day I had. Sigh...

I have an idea for you. I understand all too well about the relatives not understanding Autistic children. Oh, I could go on for DAYS about it, but the fact of the matter is no one really understands my kids but me, I'm sad to say. However, if someone starts giving me lectures these days, I shoot back with my own. I got sick and tired of being made to feel bad. Guilt trips are just things I'm not packing for anymore! So, here's what I plan on doing...this year for Christmas, I'm logging on to Amazon.com and buying each set of relatives a book...it's called "Ten Things Every Child With Autism Wishes You Knew." I'm giving it to them with a note inside from my boys (okay, I'll have to write it), asking the relatives to please read this so they can understand what life is like for them. Can't wait for the holidays? That's okay too. Here's a website that contains the original article (the book just expands on it): http://www.autismspectrum.net/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=248. Just print it out in mass quantities and start handing them out like beads at a Mardi Gras parade. Please excuse my slightly surly and very sarcastic attitude...it's been a bad day...well, bad week...okay, bad month...oh, who are we kidding -- it's been an awful summer!!!

Anyway, my point is I have decided to use these opportunities to educate people about my child's situation. They may start out thinking they are going to teach me something, but HA! They find themselves in for a surprise! I must tell you, some people who REALLY annoyed me in the past, have pretty much shut up all together!

You know what they used to say on the educational spots during Saturday morning cartoons when we were kids...knowledge is power!

--Suzanne

[Guest guest]

What a creative and wonderful idea!

----- Original Message -----

From: SBShaft@...

Sent: Friday, August 11, 2006 8:46 PM

Subject: Re: [ ] Re: Going camping ...WE'RE BACK - Patti

Patti--

First of all, welcome! Where in California did you live? I went to California for my honeymoon, which seems like 9,000 years ago. I loved Napa Valley!...ah, wine country...I could use that right about now after the day I had. Sigh...

I have an idea for you. I understand all too well about the relatives not understanding Autistic children. Oh, I could go on for DAYS about it, but the fact of the matter is no one really understands my kids but me, I'm sad to say. However, if someone starts giving me lectures these days, I shoot back with my own. I got sick and tired of being made to feel bad. Guilt trips are just things I'm not packing for anymore! So, here's what I plan on doing...this year for Christmas, I'm logging on to Amazon.com and buying each set of relatives a book...it's called "Ten Things Every Child With Autism Wishes You Knew." I'm giving it to them with a note inside from my boys (okay, I'll have to write it), asking the relatives to please read this so they can understand what life is like for them. Can't wait for the holidays? That's okay too. Here's a website that contains the original article (the book just expands on it): http://www.autismspectrum.net/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=248. Just print it out in mass quantities and start handing them out like beads at a Mardi Gras parade. Please excuse my slightly surly and very sarcastic attitude...it's been a bad day...well, bad week...okay, bad month...oh, who are we kidding -- it's been an awful summer!!!

Anyway, my point is I have decided to use these opportunities to educate people about my child's situation. They may start out thinking they are going to teach me something, but HA! They find themselves in for a surprise! I must tell you, some people who REALLY annoyed me in the past, have pretty much shut up all together!

You know what they used to say on the educational spots during Saturday morning cartoons when we were kids...knowledge is power!

--Suzanne

[Guest guest]

Hi Patti,

I am so sorry to hear of any family that is not supportive of a child

with any disability. I am lucky to have a wonderful family including my

in-laws. My problem has always been with strangers or other parents.

But school and even friends have always been wonderful too.

My fear is that we are switching schools and our son fitting in and being

happy. He will be starting 3rd grade. He will be in the Rocky River

school system.

I am very glad there is a group like this to give advice or at least a

sympathic ear. I also hope our children can get to know each other and

have peers to turn to as they grow-up.

We will not be around next weekend because we are going camping with our

cub scout group. Hope we can connect another day.

Jackie