Guest guest Posted April 7, 2007 Report Share Posted April 7, 2007 I didn't watch Oprah. I never do. Too much sensationalism for my taste. However, if you've ever met someone with autism, you would understand the idea of having " lost " your child to autism. For people who have kids with AS, this may not be something you've thought about. For people who have kids with autism, HFA or LFA or in between, you know what that means. I do not credit any of it to the vaccine stuff - I am more into genetics personally. Whatever the cause, when you have a child who is not talking and you don't know if they ever will talk...or have a child who is truely off in his world 24/7 and you don't know if he will ever focus on anything " worthwhile " - these are tough situations. Nobody would ever call this a " gift. " I wouldn't. I am lucky that my two boys are HF now. They didn't start out this way. I also work with a 5 yo who is not HF. So many times I am sitting there and wishing I could reach in and pull out the little boy you get glimpses of from time to time. When I talk to my own boys about autism, I let them know that it is a spectrum and that there are people who have more problems or more severe problems that they are not able to overcome. I have never referred to having " autism " as a gift. I prefer to tell my boys that they are special and gifted on their own and this is not due to a disability. Roxanna ( ) Re: Thoughts on Oprah's Show? I was very excited to see the topic for Oprah's show today, but was also disappointed that she did not include Aspergers. I hope that she will eventually do a show about the struggles we have, which are very different than what was shown on the show today. I did go to the Oprah website to see if there was a way to email her and there is. You can send your story in to the producers. Maybe if enough of us do this, she will do a show on Aspergers. www2.oprah.com > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 7, 2007 Report Share Posted April 7, 2007 Well said and I agree. When I take my almost ten year old son to the store and have to put him in the shopping cart just so I can focus without worrying about losing him, I get funny looks. He's small for his age (two years behind in physical growth) so this really just started recently, but I am starting to get those looks " . Just last week we went to WalMart and I had him in the cart. I have to try to stay in the center of the aisle because if he sees something that draws his interest, he just *has* to touch it. Ironically, the shampoo aisle is one of the worst for it, I think because of all the colors. Anyway, we went down the aisle and the store was packed that day so I had to go more to the side and there's Trey reaching his hand out to the things on the shelves. I had to walk to the front of the cart, hold his hands, get to his eye level, say his name a few times and tell him to not touch. That's when I got the looks because like you said even though Autism isn't a visible disability, people can't really pick up on the differences of someone with HFA in such a brief meeting. They probably just thought I was weird for having an older child in a cart and then for talking to him like he's a toddler instead of just telling him to stop. What they don't realize is that he may not even hear me at all if I just say, " Trey, stop. " Then there's the constant running some days. I've *never* allowed my children to run in stores. I think it's very rude and inappropriate, but with Trey, it's a constant battle some days and a constant worry that he'll get lost or worse, kidnapped. If I lose sight of him for just a second, I'm in a panic. I don't know how many times I've literally nearly fainted because I couldn't see where he was. He's just so fast and it just takes a few seconds for someone to grab a kid and run out. Scary scary stuff. -Jenn, AEP (ADD, Bi-Polar, Anxiety/Depression) Proud Momma of Cory Albert (14yrs ADHD), h Dawn (12yrs Anxiety/Depression) and Jerry Lee " Trey " (9yrs ADHD, Bi-Polar, Asperger's) -- ( ) Re: Thoughts on Oprah's Show? I thought if you're doing an episode to show the public what the general public already thinks of as autism, it was fine. The catch is, there's a LOT more to the spectrum than the narrow part she demonstrated on the show. The parents were talking about it being invisible and people just think they re bad parents. I'm sure that they do have trouble with that. However, if you have an aspie, it's that much harder to deal with the public. For example, today I was at a store looking at a piece of exercise equipment Beth was bound and determined to try out every piece of equipment they had It didn't matter what I said, she HAD to try them all. I could tell that the sales guy thought she was just being a brat. Since I was already low on patience with her, we just left. Had I been there with a child like the ones shown on Oprah's show, I think the guy would have realized that there was something a little 'off' about her. However, the fact that she was throwing a fit when I'd tell her to get off the equipment seems more like a spoiled kid, not a kid that has a disability. I don't think the average person would see Beth in a store and think she had a disability. The other big issue I see for those of us with an autistic child that's verbal is dealing with stranger danger. I don't think that the parents on the show have to worry about their child wandering up to a random stranger and just going on about something. Heck, someone that wanted to abduct Beth wouldn't have to figure out how to approach her, she'd approach them! I feel like I say 'what have I said about talking to strangers' 10 times a day So, even though there are similarities, there are more issues than what Oprah covered. Also, I don't consider autism the 'death sentence' that the show portrayed. Even Beth said 'I'm nothing like them' when she saw the show. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 7, 2007 Report Share Posted April 7, 2007 I'll second that! -Jenn, AEP (ADD, Bi-Polar, Anxiety/Depression) Proud Momma of Cory Albert (14yrs ADHD), h Dawn (12yrs Anxiety/Depression) and Jerry Lee " Trey " (9yrs ADHD, Bi-Polar, Asperger's) -- Re: ( ) Re: Thoughts on Oprah's Show? I nominate Meira to write to Oprah and tell her about aspergers and all of us needing to get together and the facts about autism being a SPECTRUM and tell Oprah we need to get the word out about the lesser known 'end' of the spectrum. BIG SMILE Toni Re: ( ) Re: Thoughts on Oprah's Show? Wow. Thanks for the tears......of sadness and happiness. You're good. Robin meiraharvey <meira-harvey@...> wrote: Nothing's wrong with you. You love your child. You want the best for him. It's very hard to accept that the dreams you had for your child will probably never come to be. But you know what? Your dreams don't have to die. They just have to be adjusted. I first had the PDDNOS diagnosis for my child 8 years ago, and while I mostly accept it, I have my days when I don't. Y'know, my child is probably never going to make it through university. But she might make it through a remedial vocational training program at the local community college. My child is probably never going to be a track star or cheerleader or prom queen. But she might make a few friends and have a blast at Challenger T-Ball. My child will probably never marry the boy next door. But she might find love at a support group for young adults with disabilities. And they might even give me grandchildren. Which I'll probably have to help raise, but hey, after surviving her childhood, I can do anything! And when the ' are glowing and going on and on about how their child made the honor roll three semesters in a row, I can boast just as happily and proudly that my child has finally learned to tie her shoes! And yeh, they'll give me bizarre pitying looks, but I usually don't care. Because my child loves me, and every moment, every accomplishment, is such a joy, and what those people think are really irrelevant to my life. These are not the accomplishments I originally expected to be joyful about for my kids. But while we can't control the hand we're dealt in life, we most definitely can choose how we play our cards. We're here for you. And it IS going to be okay. Meira Ok so what did > > you all think of today's > > Oprah show? > > > > I was a little disappointed to be honest. I thought > > there would have been > > more information other than what's so readily > > available on every website, > > but I guess that's what's needed to get the > > awareness out there. I was > > disappointed too, that they didn't seem to talk much > > about of the brighter > > sides and the things these amazing kids are doing > > every single day. I mean > > it's supposed to be about the " true day to day life " > > and our kids do some > > astounding things and make us smile and laugh. I > > don't know, I guess I just > > wish they would've shown this side of it, too. > > > > And is it just me or did Oprah seem to be especially > > interruptive today? > > Sheesh I hate it when she does that lol > > > > All in all though, it is good to see Autism getting > > more attention in the > > public/media. Hopefully this will help make others > > more aware. > > > > -Jenn, AEP (ADD, Bi-Polar, Anxiety/Depression) > > > > Proud Momma of Cory Albert (14yrs ADHD), h > > Dawn (12yrs > > Anxiety/Depression) > > and Jerry Lee " Trey " (9yrs ADHD, Bi-Polar, > > Asperger's) > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > > removed] > > > > --------------------------------- > > Never miss an email again! > > Toolbar alerts you the instant new Mail > > arrives. Check it out. > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > > removed] > > > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > > removed] > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 7, 2007 Report Share Posted April 7, 2007 OH I'd love that. Someone that writes well, send her a letter and tell her all about us and our group and wanting to get together, she might do it! You have to dream.. Toni ( ) Re: Thoughts on Oprah's Show? I was very excited to see the topic for Oprah's show today, but was also disappointed that she did not include Aspergers. I hope that she will eventually do a show about the struggles we have, which are very different than what was shown on the show today. I did go to the Oprah website to see if there was a way to email her and there is. You can send your story in to the producers. Maybe if enough of us do this, she will do a show on Aspergers. www2.oprah.com > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 7, 2007 Report Share Posted April 7, 2007 I nominate Meira to write to Oprah and tell her about aspergers and all of us needing to get together and the facts about autism being a SPECTRUM and tell Oprah we need to get the word out about the lesser known 'end' of the spectrum. BIG SMILE Toni Re: ( ) Re: Thoughts on Oprah's Show? Wow. Thanks for the tears......of sadness and happiness. You're good. Robin meiraharvey <meira-harvey@...> wrote: Nothing's wrong with you. You love your child. You want the best for him. It's very hard to accept that the dreams you had for your child will probably never come to be. But you know what? Your dreams don't have to die. They just have to be adjusted. I first had the PDDNOS diagnosis for my child 8 years ago, and while I mostly accept it, I have my days when I don't. Y'know, my child is probably never going to make it through university. But she might make it through a remedial vocational training program at the local community college. My child is probably never going to be a track star or cheerleader or prom queen. But she might make a few friends and have a blast at Challenger T-Ball. My child will probably never marry the boy next door. But she might find love at a support group for young adults with disabilities. And they might even give me grandchildren. Which I'll probably have to help raise, but hey, after surviving her childhood, I can do anything! And when the ' are glowing and going on and on about how their child made the honor roll three semesters in a row, I can boast just as happily and proudly that my child has finally learned to tie her shoes! And yeh, they'll give me bizarre pitying looks, but I usually don't care. Because my child loves me, and every moment, every accomplishment, is such a joy, and what those people think are really irrelevant to my life. These are not the accomplishments I originally expected to be joyful about for my kids. But while we can't control the hand we're dealt in life, we most definitely can choose how we play our cards. We're here for you. And it IS going to be okay. Meira Ok so what did > > you all think of today's > > Oprah show? > > > > I was a little disappointed to be honest. I thought > > there would have been > > more information other than what's so readily > > available on every website, > > but I guess that's what's needed to get the > > awareness out there. I was > > disappointed too, that they didn't seem to talk much > > about of the brighter > > sides and the things these amazing kids are doing > > every single day. I mean > > it's supposed to be about the " true day to day life " > > and our kids do some > > astounding things and make us smile and laugh. I > > don't know, I guess I just > > wish they would've shown this side of it, too. > > > > And is it just me or did Oprah seem to be especially > > interruptive today? > > Sheesh I hate it when she does that lol > > > > All in all though, it is good to see Autism getting > > more attention in the > > public/media. Hopefully this will help make others > > more aware. > > > > -Jenn, AEP (ADD, Bi-Polar, Anxiety/Depression) > > > > Proud Momma of Cory Albert (14yrs ADHD), h > > Dawn (12yrs > > Anxiety/Depression) > > and Jerry Lee " Trey " (9yrs ADHD, Bi-Polar, > > Asperger's) > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > > removed] > > > > --------------------------------- > > Never miss an email again! > > Toolbar alerts you the instant new Mail > > arrives. Check it out. > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > > removed] > > > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > > removed] > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 7, 2007 Report Share Posted April 7, 2007 We could hope... Anyone else going to e-mail her??? - C. Mom to Cassie 16 PCOS, Austin 14 ADHD and a 3.5 HFA/AS & SPD/SID ( ) Re: Thoughts on Oprah's Show? > > > I was very excited to see the topic for Oprah's show today, but was > also disappointed that she did not include Aspergers. I hope that > she > will eventually do a show about the struggles we have, which are > very > different than what was shown on the show today. I did go to the > Oprah website to see if there was a way to email her and there is. > You can send your story in to the producers. Maybe if enough of > us do > this, she will do a show on Aspergers. www2.oprah.com > >> > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 7, 2007 Report Share Posted April 7, 2007 Get all of us " experts " in one place and I doubt she could get a word in edgewise! ROFL!!!! - C. Mom to Cassie 16 PCOS, Austin 14 ADHD and a 3.5 HFA/AS & SPD/SID ( ) Re: Thoughts on Oprah's Show? I was very excited to see the topic for Oprah's show today, but was also disappointed that she did not include Aspergers. I hope that she will eventually do a show about the struggles we have, which are very different than what was shown on the show today. I did go to the Oprah website to see if there was a way to email her and there is. You can send your story in to the producers. Maybe if enough of us do this, she will do a show on Aspergers. www2.oprah.com > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 7, 2007 Report Share Posted April 7, 2007 I have the same issues with people giving " the look " . My 6 year old is actually very tall (almost 4'3 " ) and looks like an 8-9 year old. and if you hear him talk, he sounds like hes 10-12. I too put him in the cart when we go shopping. He gets the " back part " and my 4 year old gets the front (by where you push). It works for us usually. However my older is also a climber and a runner. He climbs in and out of the basket all the time. But I guess I'm lucky because hes also my rules police. He knows the rule is he can be out of the cart, but 1 hnd must stay on the basket at all times, or we leave. I have left a cart in the middle of the store and taken both my kids out because of a bad meltdown. We did have a meltdown today in fact. I had to take both my boys with me to get my eyes rechecked for my contacts. Before we could even get in my older started a build up. He totally shut down as we were waiting to be called back. Now, fortunately I just dont care what others think because i know i am doing what has to be done or is best for my kids. Well, heres this 6 year old, in tears and will not respond to me. Wont look at me at all. And has his hands over his ears. The lady at the desk was giving me these looks like, why can you not keep him under control? Now mind you he was not up running around or causing any problems for the staff. But we handled it and did what we had to do. Luckily, I had started carrying the putty type of ear plugs in my purse for him. I gave him one and asked him to squish it or make shapes with it (dinos of course). Problem solved and he was completely fine. And all she could do was stare. Its a shame people do not understand that our kids are not " problem children " . They are kids who cannot help their actions at times when they are completely overwhelmed. And the fact that he was not being destructive or causing any problems for the staff, you would think that people would be considerate. But that is not the nature of anyone who doesnt have or doesnt work with such wonderful kids like we have. I was happy we had a new way that was discrete to handle the meltdown. And he was a perfect gentleman after that. (Small breakthroughs are just as important as big ones!) ( ) Re: Thoughts on Oprah's Show? I thought if you're doing an episode to show the public what the general public already thinks of as autism, it was fine. The catch is, there's a LOT more to the spectrum than the narrow part she demonstrated on the show. The parents were talking about it being invisible and people just think they re bad parents. I'm sure that they do have trouble with that. However, if you have an aspie, it's that much harder to deal with the public. For example, today I was at a store looking at a piece of exercise equipment Beth was bound and determined to try out every piece of equipment they had It didn't matter what I said, she HAD to try them all. I could tell that the sales guy thought she was just being a brat. Since I was already low on patience with her, we just left. Had I been there with a child like the ones shown on Oprah's show, I think the guy would have realized that there was something a little 'off' about her. However, the fact that she was throwing a fit when I'd tell her to get off the equipment seems more like a spoiled kid, not a kid that has a disability. I don't think the average person would see Beth in a store and think she had a disability. The other big issue I see for those of us with an autistic child that's verbal is dealing with stranger danger. I don't think that the parents on the show have to worry about their child wandering up to a random stranger and just going on about something. Heck, someone that wanted to abduct Beth wouldn't have to figure out how to approach her, she'd approach them! I feel like I say 'what have I said about talking to strangers' 10 times a day So, even though there are similarities, there are more issues than what Oprah covered. Also, I don't consider autism the 'death sentence' that the show portrayed. Even Beth said 'I'm nothing like them' when she saw the show. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 7, 2007 Report Share Posted April 7, 2007 I'll third it....do I hear any opposed??? LOL - C. Mom to Cassie 16 PCOS, Austin 14 ADHD and a 3.5 HFA/AS & SPD/SID Re: ( ) Re: Thoughts on Oprah's Show? Wow. Thanks for the tears......of sadness and happiness. You're good. Robin meiraharvey <meira-harvey@...> wrote: Nothing's wrong with you. You love your child. You want the best for him. It's very hard to accept that the dreams you had for your child will probably never come to be. But you know what? Your dreams don't have to die. They just have to be adjusted. I first had the PDDNOS diagnosis for my child 8 years ago, and while I mostly accept it, I have my days when I don't. Y'know, my child is probably never going to make it through university. But she might make it through a remedial vocational training program at the local community college. My child is probably never going to be a track star or cheerleader or prom queen. But she might make a few friends and have a blast at Challenger T-Ball. My child will probably never marry the boy next door. But she might find love at a support group for young adults with disabilities. And they might even give me grandchildren. Which I'll probably have to help raise, but hey, after surviving her childhood, I can do anything! And when the ' are glowing and going on and on about how their child made the honor roll three semesters in a row, I can boast just as happily and proudly that my child has finally learned to tie her shoes! And yeh, they'll give me bizarre pitying looks, but I usually don't care. Because my child loves me, and every moment, every accomplishment, is such a joy, and what those people think are really irrelevant to my life. These are not the accomplishments I originally expected to be joyful about for my kids. But while we can't control the hand we're dealt in life, we most definitely can choose how we play our cards. We're here for you. And it IS going to be okay. Meira Ok so what did > > you all think of today's > > Oprah show? > > > > I was a little disappointed to be honest. I thought > > there would have been > > more information other than what's so readily > > available on every website, > > but I guess that's what's needed to get the > > awareness out there. I was > > disappointed too, that they didn't seem to talk much > > about of the brighter > > sides and the things these amazing kids are doing > > every single day. I mean > > it's supposed to be about the " true day to day life " > > and our kids do some > > astounding things and make us smile and laugh. I > > don't know, I guess I just > > wish they would've shown this side of it, too. > > > > And is it just me or did Oprah seem to be especially > > interruptive today? > > Sheesh I hate it when she does that lol > > > > All in all though, it is good to see Autism getting > > more attention in the > > public/media. Hopefully this will help make others > > more aware. > > > > -Jenn, AEP (ADD, Bi-Polar, Anxiety/Depression) > > > > Proud Momma of Cory Albert (14yrs ADHD), h > > Dawn (12yrs > > Anxiety/Depression) > > and Jerry Lee " Trey " (9yrs ADHD, Bi-Polar, > > Asperger's) > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > > removed] > > > > --------------------------------- > > Never miss an email again! > > Toolbar alerts you the instant new Mail > > arrives. Check it out. > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > > removed] > > > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > > removed] > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 7, 2007 Report Share Posted April 7, 2007 You know, that IS a VERY important point, and one that Oprah would respond to I think as she's always doing shows on child predators, etc. My daughter sounds a lot like yours in that most people just think she's really sweet and that my mothering is the problem. Marcia On Apr 7, 2007, at 12:08 AM, Kirsten Forbes wrote: > I thought if you're doing an episode to show the public what the > general public already thinks of as autism, it was fine. The catch > is, there's a LOT more to the spectrum than the narrow part she > demonstrated on the show. The parents were talking about it being > invisible and people just think they're bad parents. I'm sure that > they do have trouble with that. However, if you have an aspie, > it's that much harder to deal with the public. > > For example, today I was at a store looking at a piece of exercise > equipment. Beth was bound and determined to try out every piece of > equipment they had. It didn't matter what I said, she HAD to try > them all. I could tell that the sales guy thought she was just > being a brat. Since I was already low on patience with her, we > just left. Had I been there with a child like the ones shown on > Oprah's show, I think the guy would have realized that there was > something a little 'off' about her. However, the fact that she was > throwing a fit when I'd tell her to get off the equipment seems > more like a spoiled kid, not a kid that has a disability. I don't > think the average person would see Beth in a store and think she > had a disability. > > The other big issue I see for those of us with an autistic child > that's verbal is dealing with stranger danger. I don't think that > the parents on the show have to worry about their child wandering > up to a random stranger and just going on about something. Heck, > someone that wanted to abduct Beth wouldn't have to figure out how > to approach her, she'd approach them! I feel like I say 'what have > I said about talking to strangers' 10 times a day. > > So, even though there are similarities, there are more issues than > what Oprah covered. Also, I don't consider autism the 'death > sentence' that the show portrayed. Even Beth said 'I'm nothing > like them' when she saw the show. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 7, 2007 Report Share Posted April 7, 2007 Wow Jenn....I could have just plugged my sons name into Trey's and felt like it was MY life you were describing!!! I get the " look " for the same exact reason! :-) Liz Jenn <wyledbunch@...> wrote: Well said and I agree. When I take my almost ten year old son to the store and have to put him in the shopping cart just so I can focus without worrying about losing him, I get funny looks. He's small for his age (two years behind in physical growth) so this really just started recently, but I am starting to get those looks " . Just last week we went to WalMart and I had him in the cart. I have to try to stay in the center of the aisle because if he sees something that draws his interest, he just *has* to touch it. Ironically, the shampoo aisle is one of the worst for it, I think because of all the colors. Anyway, we went down the aisle and the store was packed that day so I had to go more to the side and there's Trey reaching his hand out to the things on the shelves. I had to walk to the front of the cart, hold his hands, get to his eye level, say his name a few times and tell him to not touch. That's when I got the looks because like you said even though Autism isn't a visible disability, people can't really pick up on the differences of someone with HFA in such a brief meeting. They probably just thought I was weird for having an older child in a cart and then for talking to him like he's a toddler instead of just telling him to stop. What they don't realize is that he may not even hear me at all if I just say, " Trey, stop. " Then there's the constant running some days. I've *never* allowed my children to run in stores. I think it's very rude and inappropriate, but with Trey, it's a constant battle some days and a constant worry that he'll get lost or worse, kidnapped. If I lose sight of him for just a second, I'm in a panic. I don't know how many times I've literally nearly fainted because I couldn't see where he was. He's just so fast and it just takes a few seconds for someone to grab a kid and run out. Scary scary stuff. -Jenn, AEP (ADD, Bi-Polar, Anxiety/Depression) Proud Momma of Cory Albert (14yrs ADHD), h Dawn (12yrs Anxiety/Depression) and Jerry Lee " Trey " (9yrs ADHD, Bi-Polar, Asperger's) -- ( ) Re: Thoughts on Oprah's Show? I thought if you're doing an episode to show the public what the general public already thinks of as autism, it was fine. The catch is, there's a LOT more to the spectrum than the narrow part she demonstrated on the show. The parents were talking about it being invisible and people just think they re bad parents. I'm sure that they do have trouble with that. However, if you have an aspie, it's that much harder to deal with the public. For example, today I was at a store looking at a piece of exercise equipment Beth was bound and determined to try out every piece of equipment they had It didn't matter what I said, she HAD to try them all. I could tell that the sales guy thought she was just being a brat. Since I was already low on patience with her, we just left. Had I been there with a child like the ones shown on Oprah's show, I think the guy would have realized that there was something a little 'off' about her. However, the fact that she was throwing a fit when I'd tell her to get off the equipment seems more like a spoiled kid, not a kid that has a disability. I don't think the average person would see Beth in a store and think she had a disability. The other big issue I see for those of us with an autistic child that's verbal is dealing with stranger danger. I don't think that the parents on the show have to worry about their child wandering up to a random stranger and just going on about something. Heck, someone that wanted to abduct Beth wouldn't have to figure out how to approach her, she'd approach them! I feel like I say 'what have I said about talking to strangers' 10 times a day So, even though there are similarities, there are more issues than what Oprah covered. Also, I don't consider autism the 'death sentence' that the show portrayed. Even Beth said 'I'm nothing like them' when she saw the show. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 7, 2007 Report Share Posted April 7, 2007 I did yesterday. Liz The s <carters5@...> wrote: We could hope... Anyone else going to e-mail her??? - C. Mom to Cassie 16 PCOS, Austin 14 ADHD and a 3.5 HFA/AS & SPD/SID ( ) Re: Thoughts on Oprah's Show? > > > I was very excited to see the topic for Oprah's show today, but was > also disappointed that she did not include Aspergers. I hope that > she > will eventually do a show about the struggles we have, which are > very > different than what was shown on the show today. I did go to the > Oprah website to see if there was a way to email her and there is. > You can send your story in to the producers. Maybe if enough of > us do > this, she will do a show on Aspergers. www2.oprah.com > >> > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 7, 2007 Report Share Posted April 7, 2007 Yes!!!! Jenn <wyledbunch@...> wrote: I'll second that! -Jenn, AEP (ADD, Bi-Polar, Anxiety/Depression) Proud Momma of Cory Albert (14yrs ADHD), h Dawn (12yrs Anxiety/Depression) and Jerry Lee " Trey " (9yrs ADHD, Bi-Polar, Asperger's) -- Re: ( ) Re: Thoughts on Oprah's Show? I nominate Meira to write to Oprah and tell her about aspergers and all of us needing to get together and the facts about autism being a SPECTRUM and tell Oprah we need to get the word out about the lesser known 'end' of the spectrum. BIG SMILE Toni Re: ( ) Re: Thoughts on Oprah's Show? Wow. Thanks for the tears......of sadness and happiness. You're good. Robin meiraharvey <meira-harvey@...> wrote: Nothing's wrong with you. You love your child. You want the best for him. It's very hard to accept that the dreams you had for your child will probably never come to be. But you know what? Your dreams don't have to die. They just have to be adjusted. I first had the PDDNOS diagnosis for my child 8 years ago, and while I mostly accept it, I have my days when I don't. Y'know, my child is probably never going to make it through university. But she might make it through a remedial vocational training program at the local community college. My child is probably never going to be a track star or cheerleader or prom queen. But she might make a few friends and have a blast at Challenger T-Ball. My child will probably never marry the boy next door. But she might find love at a support group for young adults with disabilities. And they might even give me grandchildren. Which I'll probably have to help raise, but hey, after surviving her childhood, I can do anything! And when the ' are glowing and going on and on about how their child made the honor roll three semesters in a row, I can boast just as happily and proudly that my child has finally learned to tie her shoes! And yeh, they'll give me bizarre pitying looks, but I usually don't care. Because my child loves me, and every moment, every accomplishment, is such a joy, and what those people think are really irrelevant to my life. These are not the accomplishments I originally expected to be joyful about for my kids. But while we can't control the hand we're dealt in life, we most definitely can choose how we play our cards. We're here for you. And it IS going to be okay. Meira Ok so what did > > you all think of today's > > Oprah show? > > > > I was a little disappointed to be honest. I thought > > there would have been > > more information other than what's so readily > > available on every website, > > but I guess that's what's needed to get the > > awareness out there. I was > > disappointed too, that they didn't seem to talk much > > about of the brighter > > sides and the things these amazing kids are doing > > every single day. I mean > > it's supposed to be about the " true day to day life " > > and our kids do some > > astounding things and make us smile and laugh. I > > don't know, I guess I just > > wish they would've shown this side of it, too. > > > > And is it just me or did Oprah seem to be especially > > interruptive today? > > Sheesh I hate it when she does that lol > > > > All in all though, it is good to see Autism getting > > more attention in the > > public/media. Hopefully this will help make others > > more aware. > > > > -Jenn, AEP (ADD, Bi-Polar, Anxiety/Depression) > > > > Proud Momma of Cory Albert (14yrs ADHD), h > > Dawn (12yrs > > Anxiety/Depression) > > and Jerry Lee " Trey " (9yrs ADHD, Bi-Polar, > > Asperger's) > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > > removed] > > > > --------------------------------- > > Never miss an email again! > > Toolbar alerts you the instant new Mail > > arrives. Check it out. > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > > removed] > > > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > > removed] > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 7, 2007 Report Share Posted April 7, 2007 Just reading everyones " exciting times " at stores, etc, and the reactions we all get from people who don't understand......well,,,,,,,,,,,it has me in a sweat. Ha ha. I feel like I'm going through it as I'm reading. We are actually heading to the store right now...........can't wait. Hee hee Robin Andi <aschristensen@...> wrote: I have the same issues with people giving " the look " . My 6 year old is actually very tall (almost 4'3 " ) and looks like an 8-9 year old. and if you hear him talk, he sounds like hes 10-12. I too put him in the cart when we go shopping. He gets the " back part " and my 4 year old gets the front (by where you push). It works for us usually. However my older is also a climber and a runner. He climbs in and out of the basket all the time. But I guess I'm lucky because hes also my rules police. He knows the rule is he can be out of the cart, but 1 hnd must stay on the basket at all times, or we leave. I have left a cart in the middle of the store and taken both my kids out because of a bad meltdown. We did have a meltdown today in fact. I had to take both my boys with me to get my eyes rechecked for my contacts. Before we could even get in my older started a build up. He totally shut down as we were waiting to be called back. Now, fortunately I just dont care what others think because i know i am doing what has to be done or is best for my kids. Well, heres this 6 year old, in tears and will not respond to me. Wont look at me at all. And has his hands over his ears. The lady at the desk was giving me these looks like, why can you not keep him under control? Now mind you he was not up running around or causing any problems for the staff. But we handled it and did what we had to do. Luckily, I had started carrying the putty type of ear plugs in my purse for him. I gave him one and asked him to squish it or make shapes with it (dinos of course). Problem solved and he was completely fine. And all she could do was stare. Its a shame people do not understand that our kids are not " problem children " . They are kids who cannot help their actions at times when they are completely overwhelmed. And the fact that he was not being destructive or causing any problems for the staff, you would think that people would be considerate. But that is not the nature of anyone who doesnt have or doesnt work with such wonderful kids like we have. I was happy we had a new way that was discrete to handle the meltdown. And he was a perfect gentleman after that. (Small breakthroughs are just as important as big ones!) ( ) Re: Thoughts on Oprah's Show? I thought if you're doing an episode to show the public what the general public already thinks of as autism, it was fine. The catch is, there's a LOT more to the spectrum than the narrow part she demonstrated on the show. The parents were talking about it being invisible and people just think they re bad parents. I'm sure that they do have trouble with that. However, if you have an aspie, it's that much harder to deal with the public. For example, today I was at a store looking at a piece of exercise equipment Beth was bound and determined to try out every piece of equipment they had It didn't matter what I said, she HAD to try them all. I could tell that the sales guy thought she was just being a brat. Since I was already low on patience with her, we just left. Had I been there with a child like the ones shown on Oprah's show, I think the guy would have realized that there was something a little 'off' about her. However, the fact that she was throwing a fit when I'd tell her to get off the equipment seems more like a spoiled kid, not a kid that has a disability. I don't think the average person would see Beth in a store and think she had a disability. The other big issue I see for those of us with an autistic child that's verbal is dealing with stranger danger. I don't think that the parents on the show have to worry about their child wandering up to a random stranger and just going on about something. Heck, someone that wanted to abduct Beth wouldn't have to figure out how to approach her, she'd approach them! I feel like I say 'what have I said about talking to strangers' 10 times a day So, even though there are similarities, there are more issues than what Oprah covered. Also, I don't consider autism the 'death sentence' that the show portrayed. Even Beth said 'I'm nothing like them' when she saw the show. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 7, 2007 Report Share Posted April 7, 2007 Ohh I wish Trey was a rules cop. He does follow the stereotypical honesty thing though. The earplugs are a great idea! It sounds like it really works great. I'll have to try to remember that one! -Jenn, AEP (ADD, Bi-Polar, Anxiety/Depression) Proud Momma of Cory Albert (14yrs ADHD), h Dawn (12yrs Anxiety/Depression) and Jerry Lee " Trey " (9yrs ADHD, Bi-Polar, Asperger's) -- Re: ( ) Re: Thoughts on Oprah's Show? I have the same issues with people giving " the look " . My 6 year old is actually very tall (almost 4'3 " ) and looks like an 8-9 year old. and if you hear him talk, he sounds like hes 10-12. I too put him in the cart when we go shopping. He gets the " back part " and my 4 year old gets the front (by where you push). It works for us usually. However my older is also a climber and a runner. He climbs in and out of the basket all the time. But I guess I'm lucky because hes also my rules police. He knows the rule is he can be out of the cart, but 1 hnd must stay on the basket at all times, or we leave. I have left a cart in the middle of the store and taken both my kids out because of a bad meltdown. We did have a meltdown today in fact. I had to take both my boys with me to get my eyes rechecked for my contacts. Before we could even get in my older started a build up. He totally shut down as we were waiting to be called back. Now, fortunately I just dont care what others think because i know i am doing what has to be done or is best for my kids. Well, heres this 6 year old, in tears and will not respond to me. Wont look at me at all. And has his hands over his ears. The lady at the desk was giving me these looks like, why can you not keep him under control? Now mind you he was not up running around or causing any problems for the staff. But we handled it and did what we had to do. Luckily, I had started carrying the putty type of ear plugs in my purse for him. I gave him one and asked him to squish it or make shapes with it (dinos of course). Problem solved and he was completely fine. And all she could do was stare. Its a shame people do not understand that our kids are not " problem children " . They are kids who cannot help their actions at times when they are completely overwhelmed. And the fact that he was not being destructive or causing any problems for the staff, you would think that people would be considerate. But that is not the nature of anyone who doesnt have or doesnt work with such wonderful kids like we have. I was happy we had a new way that was discrete to handle the meltdown. And he was a perfect gentleman after that. (Small breakthroughs are just as important as big ones!) ( ) Re: Thoughts on Oprah's Show? I thought if you're doing an episode to show the public what the general public already thinks of as autism, it was fine. The catch is, there's a LOT more to the spectrum than the narrow part she demonstrated on the show The parents were talking about it being invisible and people just think they re bad parents. I'm sure that they do have trouble with that. However, if you have an aspie, it's that much harder to deal with the public. For example, today I was at a store looking at a piece of exercise equipment Beth was bound and determined to try out every piece of equipment they had It didn't matter what I said, she HAD to try them all. I could tell that the sales guy thought she was just being a brat. Since I was already low on patience with her, we just left. Had I been there with a child like the ones shown on Oprah's show, I think the guy would have realized that there was something a little 'off' about her. However, the fact that she was throwing a fit when I'd tell her to get off the equipment seems more like a spoiled kid, not a kid that has a disability. I don't think the average person would see Beth in a store and think she had a disability. The other big issue I see for those of us with an autistic child that's verbal is dealing with stranger danger. I don't think that the parents on the show have to worry about their child wandering up to a random stranger and just going on about something. Heck, someone that wanted to abduct Beth wouldn't have to figure out how to approach her, she'd approach them! I feel like I say 'what have I said about talking to strangers' 10 times a day So, even though there are similarities, there are more issues than what Oprah covered. Also, I don't consider autism the 'death sentence' that the show portrayed. Even Beth said 'I'm nothing like them' when she saw the show. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 7, 2007 Report Share Posted April 7, 2007 you can get kid sized or adult sized at walmart for about 4 dollars. they feel alot like silly putty. the adult ones are clear and the kid ones come in bright blue, green, pink and orange. and they actually work great for ears in crowded places (like walmart or the mall) even used them during 2 funerals recently and my son behaved so well everyone commented on it. And I agree our kids are all about finding new uses for " normal " objects/things anyway. ( ) Re: Thoughts on Oprah's Show? I thought if you're doing an episode to show the public what the general public already thinks of as autism, it was fine. The catch is, there's a LOT more to the spectrum than the narrow part she demonstrated on the show The parents were talking about it being invisible and people just think they re bad parents. I'm sure that they do have trouble with that. However, if you have an aspie, it's that much harder to deal with the public. For example, today I was at a store looking at a piece of exercise equipment Beth was bound and determined to try out every piece of equipment they had It didn't matter what I said, she HAD to try them all. I could tell that the sales guy thought she was just being a brat. Since I was already low on patience with her, we just left. Had I been there with a child like the ones shown on Oprah's show, I think the guy would have realized that there was something a little 'off' about her. However, the fact that she was throwing a fit when I'd tell her to get off the equipment seems more like a spoiled kid, not a kid that has a disability. I don't think the average person would see Beth in a store and think she had a disability. The other big issue I see for those of us with an autistic child that's verbal is dealing with stranger danger. I don't think that the parents on the show have to worry about their child wandering up to a random stranger and just going on about something. Heck, someone that wanted to abduct Beth wouldn't have to figure out how to approach her, she'd approach them! I feel like I say 'what have I said about talking to strangers' 10 times a day So, even though there are similarities, there are more issues than what Oprah covered. Also, I don't consider autism the 'death sentence' that the show portrayed. Even Beth said 'I'm nothing like them' when she saw the show. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 7, 2007 Report Share Posted April 7, 2007 You guys are too much. Are you serious? Meira > Nothing's wrong with you. You love your child. You want the best for > him. It's very hard to accept that the dreams you had for your child > will probably never come to be. But you know what? Your dreams don't > have to die. They just have to be adjusted. I first had the PDDNOS > diagnosis for my child 8 years ago, and while I mostly accept it, I > have my days when I don't. Y'know, my child is probably never going > to make it through university. But she might make it through a > remedial vocational training program at the local community college. > My child is probably never going to be a track star or cheerleader or > prom queen. But she might make a few friends and have a blast at > Challenger T-Ball. My child will probably never marry the boy next > door. But she might find love at a support group for young adults > with disabilities. And they might even give me grandchildren. Which > I'll probably have to help raise, but hey, after surviving her > childhood, I can do anything! And when the ' are glowing and > going on and on about how their child made the honor roll three > semesters in a row, I can boast just as happily and proudly that my > child has finally learned to tie her shoes! And yeh, they'll give me > bizarre pitying looks, but I usually don't care. Because my child > loves me, and every moment, every accomplishment, is such a joy, and > what those people think are really irrelevant to my life. These are > not the accomplishments I originally expected to be joyful about for > my kids. But while we can't control the hand we're dealt in life, we > most definitely can choose how we play our cards. > We're here for you. And it IS going to be okay. > Meira > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 7, 2007 Report Share Posted April 7, 2007 When was little, I once had a Mom yell at me in a store for having her on a harness and leash. When she got bigger, and would refuse to walk in protest to being attached to me, I would put her in the basket of the cart, and pile the groceries on top of her. =)I still have to hold her hand with one of mine, while I push the cart with the other. Meira > > Well said and I agree. > > When I take my almost ten year old son to the store and have to put him in > the shopping cart just so I can focus without worrying about losing him, I > get funny looks. He's small for his age (two years behind in physical > growth) so this really just started recently, but I am starting to get > those looks " . > > Just last week we went to WalMart and I had him in the cart. I have to try > to stay in the center of the aisle because if he sees something that draws > his interest, he just *has* to touch it. Ironically, the shampoo aisle is > one of the worst for it, I think because of all the colors. Anyway, we went > down the aisle and the store was packed that day so I had to go more to the > side and there's Trey reaching his hand out to the things on the shelves. I > had to walk to the front of the cart, hold his hands, get to his eye level, > say his name a few times and tell him to not touch. That's when I got the > looks because like you said even though Autism isn't a visible disability, > people can't really pick up on the differences of someone with HFA in such a > brief meeting. They probably just thought I was weird for having an older > child in a cart and then for talking to him like he's a toddler instead of > just telling him to stop. What they don't realize is that he may not even > hear me at all if I just say, " Trey, stop. " > > Then there's the constant running some days. I've *never* allowed my > children to run in stores. I think it's very rude and inappropriate, but > with Trey, it's a constant battle some days and a constant worry that he'll > get lost or worse, kidnapped. If I lose sight of him for just a second, I'm > in a panic. I don't know how many times I've literally nearly fainted > because I couldn't see where he was. He's just so fast and it just takes a > few seconds for someone to grab a kid and run out. Scary scary stuff. > > -Jenn, AEP (ADD, Bi-Polar, Anxiety/Depression) > > Proud Momma of Cory Albert (14yrs ADHD), h Dawn (12yrs > Anxiety/Depression) > and Jerry Lee " Trey " (9yrs ADHD, Bi-Polar, Asperger's) > -- ( ) Re: Thoughts on Oprah's Show? > > I thought if you're doing an episode to show the public what the general > public already thinks of as autism, it was fine. The catch is, there's a > LOT more to the spectrum than the narrow part she demonstrated on the show. > The parents were talking about it being invisible and people just think they > re bad parents. I'm sure that they do have trouble with that. However, if > you have an aspie, it's that much harder to deal with the public. > > For example, today I was at a store looking at a piece of exercise equipment > Beth was bound and determined to try out every piece of equipment they had > It didn't matter what I said, she HAD to try them all. I could tell that > the sales guy thought she was just being a brat. Since I was already low on > patience with her, we just left. Had I been there with a child like the > ones shown on Oprah's show, I think the guy would have realized that there > was something a little 'off' about her. However, the fact that she was > throwing a fit when I'd tell her to get off the equipment seems more like a > spoiled kid, not a kid that has a disability. I don't think the average > person would see Beth in a store and think she had a disability. > > The other big issue I see for those of us with an autistic child that's > verbal is dealing with stranger danger. I don't think that the parents on > the show have to worry about their child wandering up to a random stranger > and just going on about something. Heck, someone that wanted to abduct Beth > wouldn't have to figure out how to approach her, she'd approach them! I > feel like I say 'what have I said about talking to strangers' 10 times a day > > > So, even though there are similarities, there are more issues than what > Oprah covered. Also, I don't consider autism the 'death sentence' that the > show portrayed. Even Beth said 'I'm nothing like them' when she saw the > show. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 7, 2007 Report Share Posted April 7, 2007 You're welcome! Hang in there Dianne. Wednesday was a fairly rotten day for us, but we're doing much better the past few days. This too shall pass... Meira > > Meira > how Beautifuly said Thanks and Hugs!! i do have my god > days the last 3 havent been so good, Noahs been moody > Lots of screaming and head banging easily aggitated > and all. > Thanks for giving me a smile today Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 7, 2007 Report Share Posted April 7, 2007 That's a really great idea. I'm definitely going to have to remember to pick some up. I just got back from WalMart and didn't even think of it! ugh! lol -Jenn, AEP (ADD, Bi-Polar, Anxiety/Depression) Proud Momma of Cory Albert (14yrs ADHD), h Dawn (12yrs Anxiety/Depression) and Jerry Lee " Trey " (9yrs ADHD, Bi-Polar, Asperger's) -- Re: ( ) Re: Thoughts on Oprah's Show? you can get kid sized or adult sized at walmart for about 4 dollars. they feel alot like silly putty. the adult ones are clear and the kid ones come in bright blue, green, pink and orange. and they actually work great for ears in crowded places (like walmart or the mall) even used them during 2 funerals recently and my son behaved so well everyone commented on it. And I agree our kids are all about finding new uses for " normal " objects/things anyway. ( ) Re: Thoughts on Oprah's Show? I thought if you're doing an episode to show the public what the general public already thinks of as autism, it was fine. The catch is, there's a LOT more to the spectrum than the narrow part she demonstrated on the show The parents were talking about it being invisible and people just think they re bad parents. I'm sure that they do have trouble with that. However, if you have an aspie, it's that much harder to deal with the public. For example, today I was at a store looking at a piece of exercise equipment Beth was bound and determined to try out every piece of equipment they had It didn't matter what I said, she HAD to try them all. I could tell that the sales guy thought she was just being a brat. Since I was already low on patience with her, we just left. Had I been there with a child like the ones shown on Oprah's show, I think the guy would have realized that there was something a little 'off' about her. However, the fact that she was throwing a fit when I'd tell her to get off the equipment seems more like a spoiled kid, not a kid that has a disability. I don't think the average person would see Beth in a store and think she had a disability. The other big issue I see for those of us with an autistic child that's verbal is dealing with stranger danger. I don't think that the parents on the show have to worry about their child wandering up to a random stranger and just going on about something. Heck, someone that wanted to abduct Beth wouldn't have to figure out how to approach her, she'd approach them! I feel like I say 'what have I said about talking to strangers' 10 times a day So, even though there are similarities, there are more issues than what Oprah covered. Also, I don't consider autism the 'death sentence' that the show portrayed. Even Beth said 'I'm nothing like them' when she saw the show. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 7, 2007 Report Share Posted April 7, 2007 I sure am. I think you'd be great for it! -Jenn, AEP (ADD, Bi-Polar, Anxiety/Depression) Proud Momma of Cory Albert (14yrs ADHD), h Dawn (12yrs Anxiety/Depression) and Jerry Lee " Trey " (9yrs ADHD, Bi-Polar, Asperger's) -- ( ) Re: Thoughts on Oprah's Show? You guys are too much. Are you serious? Meira > Nothing's wrong with you. You love your child. You want the best for > him. It's very hard to accept that the dreams you had for your child > will probably never come to be. But you know what? Your dreams don't > have to die. They just have to be adjusted. I first had the PDDNOS > diagnosis for my child 8 years ago, and while I mostly accept it, I > have my days when I don't. Y'know, my child is probably never going > to make it through university. But she might make it through a > remedial vocational training program at the local community college. > My child is probably never going to be a track star or cheerleader or > prom queen. But she might make a few friends and have a blast at > Challenger T-Ball. My child will probably never marry the boy next > door. But she might find love at a support group for young adults > with disabilities. And they might even give me grandchildren. Which > I'll probably have to help raise, but hey, after surviving her > childhood, I can do anything! And when the ' are glowing and > going on and on about how their child made the honor roll three > semesters in a row, I can boast just as happily and proudly that my > child has finally learned to tie her shoes! And yeh, they'll give me > bizarre pitying looks, but I usually don't care. Because my child > loves me, and every moment, every accomplishment, is such a joy, and > what those people think are really irrelevant to my life. These are > not the accomplishments I originally expected to be joyful about for > my kids. But while we can't control the hand we're dealt in life, we > most definitely can choose how we play our cards. > We're here for you. And it IS going to be okay. > Meira > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 7, 2007 Report Share Posted April 7, 2007 I'll fourth it!! :-) Liz Jenn <wyledbunch@...> wrote: I sure am. I think you'd be great for it! -Jenn, AEP (ADD, Bi-Polar, Anxiety/Depression) Proud Momma of Cory Albert (14yrs ADHD), h Dawn (12yrs Anxiety/Depression) and Jerry Lee " Trey " (9yrs ADHD, Bi-Polar, Asperger's) -- ( ) Re: Thoughts on Oprah's Show? You guys are too much. Are you serious? Meira > Nothing's wrong with you. You love your child. You want the best for > him. It's very hard to accept that the dreams you had for your child > will probably never come to be. But you know what? Your dreams don't > have to die. They just have to be adjusted. I first had the PDDNOS > diagnosis for my child 8 years ago, and while I mostly accept it, I > have my days when I don't. Y'know, my child is probably never going > to make it through university. But she might make it through a > remedial vocational training program at the local community college. > My child is probably never going to be a track star or cheerleader or > prom queen. But she might make a few friends and have a blast at > Challenger T-Ball. My child will probably never marry the boy next > door. But she might find love at a support group for young adults > with disabilities. And they might even give me grandchildren. Which > I'll probably have to help raise, but hey, after surviving her > childhood, I can do anything! And when the ' are glowing and > going on and on about how their child made the honor roll three > semesters in a row, I can boast just as happily and proudly that my > child has finally learned to tie her shoes! And yeh, they'll give me > bizarre pitying looks, but I usually don't care. Because my child > loves me, and every moment, every accomplishment, is such a joy, and > what those people think are really irrelevant to my life. These are > not the accomplishments I originally expected to be joyful about for > my kids. But while we can't control the hand we're dealt in life, we > most definitely can choose how we play our cards. > We're here for you. And it IS going to be okay. > Meira > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 7, 2007 Report Share Posted April 7, 2007 I second that nomination (which in reality is probably 8th by now, LOL).. Marcia On Apr 7, 2007, at 12:53 PM, Toni Barker wrote: > I nominate Meira to write to Oprah and tell her about aspergers and > all of us needing to get together and the facts about autism being > a SPECTRUM and tell Oprah we need to get the word out about the > lesser known 'end' of the spectrum. BIG SMILE Toni > Re: ( ) Re: Thoughts on Oprah's Show? > > > Wow. Thanks for the tears......of sadness and happiness. > You're good. > Robin > > meiraharvey <meira-harvey@...> wrote: > Nothing's wrong with you. You love your child. You want the best for > him. It's very hard to accept that the dreams you had for your child > will probably never come to be. But you know what? Your dreams don't > have to die. They just have to be adjusted. I first had the PDDNOS > diagnosis for my child 8 years ago, and while I mostly accept it, I > have my days when I don't. Y'know, my child is probably never going > to make it through university. But she might make it through a > remedial vocational training program at the local community college. > My child is probably never going to be a track star or > cheerleader or > prom queen. But she might make a few friends and have a blast at > Challenger T-Ball. My child will probably never marry the boy next > door. But she might find love at a support group for young adults > with disabilities. And they might even give me grandchildren. Which > I'll probably have to help raise, but hey, after surviving her > childhood, I can do anything! And when the ' are glowing and > going on and on about how their child made the honor roll three > semesters in a row, I can boast just as happily and proudly that my > child has finally learned to tie her shoes! And yeh, they'll give me > bizarre pitying looks, but I usually don't care. Because my child > loves me, and every moment, every accomplishment, is such a joy, and > what those people think are really irrelevant to my life. These are > not the accomplishments I originally expected to be joyful about for > my kids. But while we can't control the hand we're dealt in life, we > most definitely can choose how we play our cards. > We're here for you. And it IS going to be okay. > Meira > > Ok so what did >>> you all think of today's >>> Oprah show? >>> >>> I was a little disappointed to be honest. I thought >>> there would have been >>> more information other than what's so readily >>> available on every website, >>> but I guess that's what's needed to get the >>> awareness out there. I was >>> disappointed too, that they didn't seem to talk much >>> about of the brighter >>> sides and the things these amazing kids are doing >>> every single day. I mean >>> it's supposed to be about the " true day to day life " >>> and our kids do some >>> astounding things and make us smile and laugh. I >>> don't know, I guess I just >>> wish they would've shown this side of it, too. >>> >>> And is it just me or did Oprah seem to be especially >>> interruptive today? >>> Sheesh I hate it when she does that lol >>> >>> All in all though, it is good to see Autism getting >>> more attention in the >>> public/media. Hopefully this will help make others >>> more aware. >>> >>> -Jenn, AEP (ADD, Bi-Polar, Anxiety/Depression) >>> >>> Proud Momma of Cory Albert (14yrs ADHD), h >>> Dawn (12yrs >>> Anxiety/Depression) >>> and Jerry Lee " Trey " (9yrs ADHD, Bi-Polar, >>> Asperger's) >>> >>> [Non-text portions of this message have been >>> removed] >>> >>> --------------------------------- >>> Never miss an email again! >>> Toolbar alerts you the instant new Mail >>> arrives. Check it out. >>> >>> [Non-text portions of this message have been >>> removed] >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> [Non-text portions of this message have been >>> removed] >>> >>> >>> >>> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 7, 2007 Report Share Posted April 7, 2007 Oh geesh, some people! Better on a harness and leash than in a strangers arms! -Jenn, AEP (ADD, Bi-Polar, Anxiety/Depression) Proud Momma of Cory Albert (14yrs ADHD), h Dawn (12yrs Anxiety/Depression) and Jerry Lee " Trey " (9yrs ADHD, Bi-Polar, Asperger's) -- ( ) Re: Thoughts on Oprah's Show? > > I thought if you're doing an episode to show the public what the general > public already thinks of as autism, it was fine. The catch is, there's a > LOT more to the spectrum than the narrow part she demonstrated on the show. > The parents were talking about it being invisible and people just think they > re bad parents. I'm sure that they do have trouble with that. However, if > you have an aspie, it's that much harder to deal with the public. > > For example, today I was at a store looking at a piece of exercise equipment > Beth was bound and determined to try out every piece of equipment they had > It didn't matter what I said, she HAD to try them all. I could tell that > the sales guy thought she was just being a brat. Since I was already low on > patience with her, we just left. Had I been there with a child like the > ones shown on Oprah's show, I think the guy would have realized that there > was something a little 'off' about her. However, the fact that she was > throwing a fit when I'd tell her to get off the equipment seems more like a > spoiled kid, not a kid that has a disability. I don't think the average > person would see Beth in a store and think she had a disability. > > The other big issue I see for those of us with an autistic child that's > verbal is dealing with stranger danger. I don't think that the parents on > the show have to worry about their child wandering up to a random stranger > and just going on about something. Heck, someone that wanted to abduct Beth > wouldn't have to figure out how to approach her, she'd approach them! I > feel like I say 'what have I said about talking to strangers' 10 times a day > > > So, even though there are similarities, there are more issues than what > Oprah covered. Also, I don't consider autism the 'death sentence' that the > show portrayed. Even Beth said 'I'm nothing like them' when she saw the > show. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 8, 2007 Report Share Posted April 8, 2007 Yep. My point exactly. Thank you. Meira > > > > Well said and I agree. > > > > When I take my almost ten year old son to the store and have to put > him in > > the shopping cart just so I can focus without worrying about losing > him, I > > get funny looks. He's small for his age (two years behind in > physical > > growth) so this really just started recently, but I am starting to > get > > those looks " . > > > > Just last week we went to WalMart and I had him in the cart. I have > to try > > to stay in the center of the aisle because if he sees something > that draws > > his interest, he just *has* to touch it. Ironically, the shampoo > aisle is > > one of the worst for it, I think because of all the colors. Anyway, > we went > > down the aisle and the store was packed that day so I had to go > more to the > > side and there's Trey reaching his hand out to the things on the > shelves. I > > had to walk to the front of the cart, hold his hands, get to his > eye level, > > say his name a few times and tell him to not touch. That's when I > got the > > looks because like you said even though Autism isn't a visible > disability, > > people can't really pick up on the differences of someone with HFA > in such a > > brief meeting. They probably just thought I was weird for having an > older > > child in a cart and then for talking to him like he's a toddler > instead of > > just telling him to stop. What they don't realize is that he may > not even > > hear me at all if I just say, " Trey, stop. " > > > > Then there's the constant running some days. I've *never* allowed my > > children to run in stores. I think it's very rude and > inappropriate, but > > with Trey, it's a constant battle some days and a constant worry > that he'll > > get lost or worse, kidnapped. If I lose sight of him for just a > second, I'm > > in a panic. I don't know how many times I've literally nearly > fainted > > because I couldn't see where he was. He's just so fast and it just > takes a > > few seconds for someone to grab a kid and run out. Scary scary > stuff. > > > > -Jenn, AEP (ADD, Bi-Polar, Anxiety/Depression) > > > > Proud Momma of Cory Albert (14yrs ADHD), h Dawn (12yrs > > Anxiety/Depression) > > and Jerry Lee " Trey " (9yrs ADHD, Bi-Polar, Asperger's) > > -- ( ) Re: Thoughts on Oprah's Show? > > > > I thought if you're doing an episode to show the public what the > general > > public already thinks of as autism, it was fine. The catch is, > there's a > > LOT more to the spectrum than the narrow part she demonstrated on > the show. > > The parents were talking about it being invisible and people just > think they > > re bad parents. I'm sure that they do have trouble with that. > However, if > > you have an aspie, it's that much harder to deal with the public. > > > > For example, today I was at a store looking at a piece of exercise > equipment > > Beth was bound and determined to try out every piece of equipment > they had > > It didn't matter what I said, she HAD to try them all. I could > tell that > > the sales guy thought she was just being a brat. Since I was > already low on > > patience with her, we just left. Had I been there with a child > like the > > ones shown on Oprah's show, I think the guy would have realized > that there > > was something a little 'off' about her. However, the fact that she > was > > throwing a fit when I'd tell her to get off the equipment seems > more like a > > spoiled kid, not a kid that has a disability. I don't think the > average > > person would see Beth in a store and think she had a disability. > > > > The other big issue I see for those of us with an autistic child > that's > > verbal is dealing with stranger danger. I don't think that the > parents on > > the show have to worry about their child wandering up to a random > stranger > > and just going on about something. Heck, someone that wanted to > abduct Beth > > wouldn't have to figure out how to approach her, she'd approach > them! I > > feel like I say 'what have I said about talking to strangers' 10 > times a day > > > > > > So, even though there are similarities, there are more issues than > what > > Oprah covered. Also, I don't consider autism the 'death sentence' > that the > > show portrayed. Even Beth said 'I'm nothing like them' when she > saw the > > show. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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