tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515138895847197893.post93222313244646971..comments2023-03-24T03:58:34.160-07:00Comments on Life on the Roller Coaster: Terri Burges Hirninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16131214762232111105noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515138895847197893.post-79599793670539549102010-02-17T12:13:26.765-07:002010-02-17T12:13:26.765-07:00Thank you SO much!! You have no idea how much you...Thank you SO much!! You have no idea how much your words mean to me...finally I feel validated. I have felt so much of what you describe. I just wish those around me could understand that my life is different than it used to be...but that I don't care about them any differently...I just can't do all of the same things that I was able to do before.<br /><br />I am so sorry for all of the questions...I do have one more if you don't mind. I noticed the link to "Enzyme Stuff" on your side bar and I love that site. We are using enzymes and I feel that we are noticing some positive changes. I am wondering if your son takes enzymes and what you have noticed if he does. Thank you for all that you do...you are a wonderful mother!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515138895847197893.post-76952102049606184762010-02-16T20:32:16.837-07:002010-02-16T20:32:16.837-07:00Thanks Shari. I am so greatful for our friendship!...Thanks Shari. I am so greatful for our friendship!<br /><br />Anon - First off, thanks for your wonderful comments. Secondly, I am a person with a few really close friends, most I have been friends with for at least 2 decades by now. None of them pulled back, some more casual friends yes, but no true friends, sometimes the relationships changed, many times they did. What I ran into was that they didn't quite understand my life and some of the things we avoided - but were ok avoiding. Some of them thought it was a cop out, like we were hiding from the world. And of course some family members probably didn't like our "discipline" or what may be considered lack thereof at times. But when you have a child with Autism, all your preconcieved notions of parenting, rules, etc. have to be thrown out and completely redone! Otherwise just bang your head against the nearest wall because that is all you will be accomplishing, some people have a hard time seeing that. We avoided eating out for a LONG time and a friend actually confronted me on it. But, for us it was a no brainer. We shouldn't be eating out much anyways for health reasons, my son is on a very restricted diet, the sensory environments can be very overwhelming. How many times do I have to wait in the car with a screaming child to say "you know what....let's give this a rest". But you know what, now that is his weekly treat for getting his stickers in school all week. He can sit and eat in a restaurant no problem, it just took time. Timelines have to be adjusted, along with expectations. I think it is hard for many people, they want to help and be there but they just don't know how to. We have family the same way. They hang back (which can seem aloof) because they don't know what to do and don't want to make things worse, not out of malice. I hope that helps!Terri Burges Hirninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16131214762232111105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515138895847197893.post-76022500870165306352010-02-14T19:53:00.514-07:002010-02-14T19:53:00.514-07:00Thank you so much for this post...it is how I have...Thank you so much for this post...it is how I have felt and how I still feel at times put into words so well. <br /><br />Can I ask if you feel like some of your friends have pulled away at all? I sometimes feel like some of my friends have...I think that I haven't been able to do the things that I used to do because as you mentioned sometimes it is just easier not to...this is a rough and rewarding journey as a parent and it does change you somewhat...anyway...just wondering if you have ever felt this way at all? Thank you!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515138895847197893.post-59324750918685310922010-02-12T22:11:33.499-07:002010-02-12T22:11:33.499-07:00well said and oh so true. Thank goodness for suppo...well said and oh so true. Thank goodness for support groups. Thank goodness for progress.Shari Goodmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06474703445475943040noreply@blogger.com