Re: hurtful comments DIANA

[Guest guest]

- You're not alone. I worry every single day about how my son will

ever survive in this world in the years to come and as he becomes an adult.

I've found that getting angry and frustrated with people who don't understand

is counterproductive (this after a LONG time feeling like this). Rather,

education is the best defense against ignorance. Educate people who don't

understand. Print out internet articles and hand them out. Of course, we as

parents and families are the ones who witness the compulsions and rituals etc.

If

I hear one more time " he doesn't do that in the classroom " I'd like to

scream. These kids know that their behaviors are not " normal " and will do

anything to refrain from doing them in front of their peers. My son this year

picked up that it's easier to act out and be sent out of the classroom than

give

in to his OCD anxiety and be ridiculed. It's very sad, but I know we're not

alone. It's just hurtful to think that if our children were in wheelchairs in

a classroom, etc people would be more sympathetic and helpful because they

can actually SEE the disability as a constant. Since OCD can wax and wane, it

seems to be hidden and people aren't as receptive to accepting that it is in

fact disabling to one who suffers from it.

We as parents must be our student's loudest advocate. When we feel like

climbing in the hole away from the world, it's time to get back out there and

educate everyone we can.

Know that you're in my thoughts.

In a message dated 7/13/2005 2:32:13 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,

grizz140@... writes:

And we worry every day about how he'll

possibly get through school or be able to ever hold a job.