Joining the Afasic committee

[Blossomhill]

I have joined up our local Afasic (speech and language charity/support group) group committee. I am going to be the contact number and e-mail contact for new members, people wanting advice.
Really looking forward to it as I know how desperate people are in the early days and want to help and listen.
It also means I will get all of the up-to-date advice and information, which is an added bonus
Obviously anything I think would be of interest I will let you know first!

[heartinthecountry]

Hey - well done Bh!

[Blossomhill]

Thanks HITC. I finally feel ready to do it. I have been umming and ahhing for ages and now dd has been at ft school for over a year I can give the commitment.

[Davros]

Well done BH. I think you will find it a godsend and I'd recommend doing something like that to everyone. I did it, was on the Peach parent-to-parent helpline and I found that it really helped me understand what I thought about things and also showed me how much I knew. It also got me "out there" and that is when I really started to get to know more people with children with ASD doing ABA. These days people seem to think that I know everyone but I only knew 2 other mums for the first 1.5 years. I think it will be great for your confidence, oh and you'll be helping other people too [smil] Let us in on your first call and how it goes.

[heartinthecountry]

I bet you will be really good at it

I reckon it is also because of how you have moved on recently - now you feel ready to support others.

[heartinthecountry]

sorry - that last comment sounded really patronising .

[Blossomhill]

Ah thanks Davros you are such a sweete (Sorry I know how u hate gushy stuff
I do feel as though I have finally come to a place where although I am not sure if I have accepted (and doubt I ever will). I am actually getting on with life and trying to live as normal life as possible. I am trying to not let sn take over and absorb my life. It does really help talking to other people and one of the other Afasic committee members who I spoke to today was like a breath of fresh air. Her son is 12 now and has come on so much and it's stories like that, that I need to hear.
No you are right HITC I am ready to help others. When I think back to how low, lonely, desperate when dd was first diagnosed at 2 it really does make me feel sad tbh. I think if I can help someone in that same position and point them in the right direction then that will make me feel good.
Oh and I have also set up a monthly coffee meeting for the unit mums, that starts next Wednesday. In some ways I have been selfish in that I am desperate to speak to people whose children are a few years ahead. I also just like talking in general
Oh and davros I promise you'll be the first to know when I take my first call

[Jayzmummy]

Well done you.

I have been thinking about what I am going to do when J goes back to school and DS1 disappears in Sept....reading your post has made me realsie its not that far away and I should start making enquiries as to where my time would be best used.

Do you have to have any training Blossom? We dont have anyone down here from Afasic....maybe I should look into it???

[Fio2]

well done blossomhill and good luck

[Davros]

Wow Bloss, phone line AND coffee morning. I think these things will be more help to you than anything and, of coure, you are helping other people into the bargain. BTW, gush away, I can take it (secretly like it!). I may have to record your calls for training purposes
Jayzmummy, do you think you might look for something on these lines too or maybe you should give yourself a gap to get used to the changes?

[KarenThirl]

Good for you, BH.

[JakB]

That's fantastic, Blossom . Good for you honey... Can't wait to hear all about it...

[maddiemo]

Well done bh. Hope you really enjoy it.

[Jayzmummy]

Davros,
Im really going to find it tough once J returns to school in Sept. Not only is my wee man not going to be here during the day, but DS1 has been awarded a scholarship to boarding school so he will be vanishing to. What the hell am I going to do with my days????
I must admit I am looking forward to some well earned me time, but I know I will get so bored after a while. I cant go back to work so Im thinking about doing something....but what Im not sure.

Had thought about Homestart because there is a lack of volunteers around here and I know how much this would help someone who is in the same position as me....stuck at home all day with wee man does tend to drive me insane and I long for some adult company!!!

Will have to get my thinking cap on.

[maddiemo]

Jayzmummy I recently got a letter from IPSEA. They need people to volunteer with supporting parents through statementing and tribunal. You can either give telephone advice or support at tribunal. the letter said that full training would be given. I was really interested, especialliy in tribunal advice as I expect we will go to tribunal at some point in the future. However, it would not be practical unyil ds4 is at school.

Thought it might be of interstest to you. Will see if I can dig out letter if you are interested.

[Jayzmummy]

Thanks...they sent me the letter to. Im thinking more of doing something that will get me out of the house and meeting up with people....I'm definately a more hands on person and just feel I would be of more use if I was out there doing something for someone else who really needs some support....definately feel that either a support group or homestart is the way I will go.

[KarenThirl]

What about Parent Partnership JM? They're always needing volunteers, so I hear.