Insensitive remarks...

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I also understand where you are coming from. I had a BEST friend for

years. She was able to deal with me and my son's diagnosis of

PDD/Asperger's syndroome. And even my daughter's diagnosis of ADD.

However, once the OCD diagnosis came in there - she was out of here.

She couldn't deal with it anymore. Now, I don't know if it was

because of her uncomfortableness, or my reaction to the diagnosis as

well. (we all know how difficult that is!) But she is not my best

friend anymore. We still talk, but stay away from many topics. It

confused and saddened me for a while, but now I realize her

limitations. There are few people that can understand our position

without having been in that situation themselves.

I also have a group of girlfriends who I have lunch with regularly.

They don't know much. There are times I really enjoy the time away

from " disability " talk. But there are also times I feel really sad

when they talk about all their " normal " family experiences.

Sometimes I do not initiate time spent with them, depending on where

I am at at the time.

Yes, talking about insensitive things would bother me very much too.

It is a poor reflection on them and I believe, something that won't

change except through experience and maturation on their part.

My old best friend that I spoke of before....I have since found out

how she stayed away from a cousin of hers who lost their baby after

heart surgery. It was so sad, but my friend just couldn't handle it,

obviously. And I am sure she couldn't handle our problems as well.

I think this just goes with the territory. Whenever I find a person

who understands, I realize that they are the type of people who I

would much rather be my friend! Ellen