Dorian – What’s the best advice you have for others in your situation?

Stay the same.  Don’t change because your child is disabled.  Don’t become a worry wart, don’t become overly anxious.  Stay the same mom that your child has always known, because that will keep them focused, and that will keep them realizing that they have you.  If you change and become worrisome, they’re not going to want to talk to you, because you’re going to panic and get nervous about every little thing.  Stay the same mother because that’s who you are, you’re their mother.  You still have to be sensitive; you still have to care for them, but don’t let the disability take over your life.  Again, it’s a state of mind.  It doesn’t really have to take away who they are, but sometimes we let it take away who they are.  We still have to stay mom.  If you scold them about leaving something on the floor, still scold them.   Not to be mean, but to let them know that mom hasn’t changed, she still loves me the same as she did before.  She’s not pitying me, she not feeling sorry for me.  I’m still her son, I’m still her daughter.