To folks with loved ones with disabilities...

[Paulina]

Let's get together and share our experiences with our children, extended families with special needs, etc. I'll start. Our son is 27 and extremely profound when it comes to Autism. Unstoppable Echolalia, no proper exchanges with strangers, a personal risk, etc. Let all of us know your loved one's disabilities of any sort i.e., Multiple Sclerosis, Downs, etc. Maybe we can speak with each other and possibly help each other to boot. Nice to have someone to speak with, correct? Please don't feel bad. Do you feel happy? Frustrated? Sad? Let's lay it all on the line.

 

[Marcy Sheiner]

My son, who turns 60 in two months, was born with a rare-ish neurological condition called hydrocephalus (congenital, born with it). He had surgery to insert a shunt in his head at 10 days old, and that was revised 8 times during his life either bc he outgrew it or it got infected.

He began having seizures at 8 years old, which was to me totally unexpected, and has been the worst part of his condition. Today altho he functions pretty well, he has round the clock care, which relieves me greatly, since I am in my late 70s and up until we found this great care (thank you California) I was constantly having to run to his place to be sure he was okay, and other things were hard on me too. It's been a difficult life, for me and for him.

 

[bowmore]

MY wife suffered a sub arachnid hemorrhage (brain bleed). She had 4 surgeries to fix the bleed and install shunts. She spent time in ICU, then rehab. I had a caregiver with her for 6 months during the day.
She experienced a personality shift and got confused some times. She also suffered seizures and fell a number of times.
She lived for 12 years after the original incident.