How do I deal with this?

[lou33]

Ds2 aged 2 1/2 has cp as you probably all know. I was lying on the bed with him tonight as he was settling down to sleep. It was all calm, and quiet. Suddenly from out of nowhere he looks up at me, and in a really heartbreakingly sad little voice says "I can't walk". I asked him to repeat what he said because I couldn't really believe my ears, so he did, and then burst into floods of tears. My heart is breaking for him, how on earth do I deal with this?

[marthamoo]

Oh lou33, I wish I knew. Made me cry too. No word of wisdom but loads of (((hugs)))

[mieow]

DS has recently become very aware of his CP, he has always been aware of his CP but the first time is heartbreaking I always say that he is a special boy who can't walk as well as everyone else.
Is there something that your DS can do very well?? Could you say how well he does it and how proud you are of him?

[Ghosty]

Oh lou ... wish I could give advice but have no experience to draw on here ...
Your DS sounds so lovely and it must have been heartbreaking .... I am crying too ....
Loads of love and hugs to you and your little man {{{{{}}}}}

[mieow]

PS if you want to we can chat in SKinUK

[misdee]

i remember mieows ds asked for 'sonic legs' once. made me cry. now he is almost 6, and says 'icant walk well because i cerebal palsy'. maybe mieow is someone to contact about this. sorry i cant be of much help, but loads of (((((hugs)))) from me too.

[misdee]

she's already here.

[mieow]

HI sarah

[marthamoo]

Have come back to this as it's really given me pause in my surfing round Mumsnet posting sillies.

Can you emphasis the things he CAN do? And how much you love him, and how special he is, and the happiness he brings to your life. You must do this already, I know, but it's all I can think of..just to really let him know how special and precious he is. He's so little to try and explain things to. Give him a hug from me tomorrow.

[mieow]

I am in Chat in SKinUK if you want to talk Lou

[lou33]

So many quick replies. Thanks everyone. I'm just stunned I think. I knew he would start noticing differences one day, I just thought he would be older. He was really crying so hard. I had to hold it together because I didn't want to make him worse, but I could easily have joined him.

Mieow I will post this on SkinUK too, so thanks for the offer of a chat. Am wracking my brains as to what he is good at, apart from causing everyone he meets to fall totally in love with him. He can't really do anything that brilliantly, but he is a wonderful little soul, and usually such a happy boy.

[mieow]

I am in Chat now Lou

[lou33]

I'm coming.

[mieow]

lol

[lou33]

It's taking bloody ages to load.

[mieow]

you were in then

[lou33]

It keeps disconnecting me saying I cannot join.

[Angeliz]

lou33 i have to say i'd have to think on how to deal with it but that made me feel so sad for him.bless!

[eidsvold]

Lou - no idea what to suggest that hasn't been suggested so far - just wanted to let you know I am sending you hugs.

[fio2]

poor you lou and poor ds2 Hope you are feeling better today. I suppose this is something we all have to cope with one day

[fio2]

He can talk well lou My friends little boy is the same age as your ds2 and he cant say a word but thats another story......

[Jimjams]

Lou I haven't had this from ds1, but I have had it from quite a few other children. I've been asked on a number of occasions why ds1 can't talk, and does that mean he's a baby. I generally try the "he finds it difficult, but some things you find difficult he find easy" approach. Your ds can talk well so maybe tell him there are children who can walk but can't talk, and children who can walk but can't see/ etc etc. Kind of show him that there are lots of children with different problems so he's not alone in being different. If you've got any examples of friends of his with disabilities talk about them as well.

[Jimjams]

Oh just another thought- there is a book available for (older) children with Aspergers/high functioning autism called "I am special" (or maybe why I'm special) and its about dealing with their differences. I've seen it in quite a few regular bookshops (I don't have a copy) maybe flick through it in the shop for ideas if he continues to ask about it.

[janh]

lou, how desperately sad, for him and for you. love and hugs from me too.