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kiwibird27
02-10-2006, 09:04
PLEASE DON'T GET OFFENDED LADIES..........................


I have read with interest alot of other posts about how they feel there child is segregated or ignored because they are not as disabled as many of the children attending local SEDU's etc.
My daughter looks "Normal" as well and few people would realise there is something wrong, the nasal gastric tube is the only give away. They don't realise when she gets a cold she goes into liver failure or that she needs weekly blood tests and 3 weekly blood infusions to keep her alive, or that she has a very rare genetic disorder........ etc etc etc

We have been in hospital for the last 3 months and am always drawn to the people with children that have similar conditions and who understand what its like to watch your child come close to death, or to have a condition so rare no one can predict what will happen to your child, it's really hard, but they are the only people who understand.

I will be drawn to the same people in the community and find parents with children with conditions that are common, have a piece of paper that explains what will happen, have support groups where children with the same disorder meet, have access to all the services they need as they have a common label that everyone understands.

No one else know what I am going thru except people with rare disorders who fight for answers everyday, so I am sorry if i am one of those mothers who doesn't pay alot of attention to you, I don't mean to offend, I'm just jealous that my child hasn't got a common disorder with a list of things to do and a medication to take, I am just searching for answers to questions that don't exist.

I hope that kind of explains what it's like????

Samantha83
02-10-2006, 09:34
Hi kiwibird,

When I referred to SEDU I meant her teachers, but saying that it is quite understandable that children with the same SMA type she has that are less able, do need more help. I don't really socialise with the parents with children of a different disorder either, it's just too hard and sometimes it feels to much like a competition or turns into a conversation of comparisons, which is silly when we are all just there the for same reason, getting the best possible care and education for our kids.

What does your daughter have btw, it sounds like it gets really hard for you. The last two times we have taken DSD to the childrens hospital when it was an emergency, no-one there even knew what SMA was so I know how you feel about constantly searching for answers.

I cant begin to know what you are going through nor am I going to pretend I do, all I can say is hang in there, all we can do is hope for a cure and make life as comfortable and happy as we can for our kids.

Jacks Mummy
30-10-2006, 12:31
Kiwibird, I totally agree with you. I to have a son who is normal looking but has a rare chromsome disorder and I also get that look of 'how dare you consider yourself in the same league'. Its not only those parents either its the whole system. I am grateful for the wonderful therapists we have but lets face it the government gives me $94 dollars a week and a health care card for my son only and then wonders why so many of us with disabled children are feeling tired financially and mentally. The costs of therapies and such adds up not to mention the fact that emotionally you feel that just because your child doesnt look like he is disabled you dont belong or have no rights to belong.

So I guess what I am trying to say is I HEAR YOU, its annoying and is really discrimination.

kiwibird27
01-11-2006, 10:46
Thank - you, I wrote that awhile agao when I was pretty frustrated and glad it didn

Lirael
01-11-2006, 10:55
well, I dont even know what is 'wrong' with my son and I do feel as though he is left out at SEDU because he does not have downs or is physically disabled. there is no list of things to do or medications to take. noone can tell me anything at all and that is probably the hardest thing.

kiwibird27
01-11-2006, 11:02
Understand how you feel - read my diagnosis story thread in this section - If you need any advice orsome one to talk to let me know????