Re: question/ friends?

[Guest guest]

,

Sorry to hear this. Hope you find some solace on this list. And hope you find more friends with autistic kids who are more like you and subscribe to the "laugh or we will cry" method of coping. I know I am blessed to have numerous of those types of friends here in NJ.

Heidi

question/ friends?>Date: Sun, 12 Jun 2005 13:50:34 -0500>>>Hey y'all,>>Just want to toss this out there. I have a group of friends, about 25>women, all of whom I've known 15 years or more, and all of whom have the>same job I do. OK, don't laugh, but we are basketmakers....I know that's>strange, but I design and exhibit and teach around the country. These>women live from one coast to the other, and we have had our own email>group for years, since we understand each other well and can vent about>our job frustrations, etc. We have also supported each other through>deaths, divorces, cancer, and many other life crises. I have long truly>considered these as among the best friends I have in the world. I tell>you all of this, so you can understand what has happened....>>Since my son's dx last year, and my "new" life in the world of biomedical>treatments and now political activism and "professional book buyer and>distributor!", I have maintained regular contact with these friends. At>first they were oh so sorry for my plight, wanted to cheer me up,>etc.....but this past week I sent them a long email sharing some of the>things I've been doing lately--like our progress with the doctor, the big>push on Washington, etc. I was really excited about it and wanted to let>them know what was happening--also hoping to get maybe a few of them>interested in getting mercury out of vaccines (since that should be>everyone's fight, not just the autism community). But I SWEAR I wasn't>arrogant, or (too) pushy, I don't think..... just passionate!>>So far I have not received ONE reply to my email, and these women are on>email every single day. The group emails continue to come...with links>to knitting sites, and discussions about someone's wedding, and the usual>job info, etc....and nothing about what I said. I finally contacted one>of these friends individually and asked, did my message get out there,>since no one even commented? She told me yes, but after all, it was a>"bit intense", you know, not one of your usual joking, fun emails.>>I'm a big girl, but my feelings are a bit wounded here. I have found>this with other friends, too, whom I used to "do lunch" with, once upon a>time, B.A. (before autism) (before activism). I honestly don't have the>time for as much "fun stuff" any more, since I seriously have so many>more urgent things to deal with these days. I've also decided that I am>never going to be comfortable just watching things happen, and sticking>my head in the sand, while I live in my own comfortable little world (not>that it's very comfortable these days). I would NEVER judge or criticize>them or their lives, but they just don't comprehend the passion I have to>fight this fight, not only for my son, but for everyone else's kids!>>OK, I've vented, and I feel better now. It's just kind of strange that I>have never met any of you, and yet I bet you understand where I'm coming>from. I just wondered--is this a familiar scenario?>>Thanks for listening.>>patti>>>