Is it wrong to take comfort from...

[emkana]

... other families, in particular prominent ones, having children with SN as well?

I'm thinking is it wrong of me to get positive feelings from other people having problems?

[TeeCee]

I don't think it's wrong, I think it's natural. DD1 goes to a mainstream school so we mix with NT kids but there are a hundred difficulties associated with that, for me. Like today, we went to a school mate's house for tea and I had to change DD1's nappy. The biy and his brothers all wanted to know why she was in a nappy. I handled it ok, but would have been nicer not to have to. When I'm with a mum whose child also has DS it's more relaxing in that way, and nice to see how similar our kids are rather than have their differences slammed ho,me to you.

[Jimjams2]

I feel a sense of belonging with people with children with SN. Agree with Edmond about the sense of community. DS1's school is like a family- the children go there for so many years, the staff generally stay for years and years, and there's something very shared about having a severely diisabled child.

[2mum]

I understand what you mean Emkana, i mostly feel all alone with my kids who both have special needs. Not alone in the sense that they`re not receiving help at school, alone in the fact in the area where i live i dont know any other kids who have sn so far apart from my two.

[Edmond]

sis, the one rule for all in mainstream really gets my goat.

emkana, I think comfort is the wrong word. i think it is nice ina friendship way if someone understands what you are going through, but I dont think it essential. When i do go to dd's school though I get a sense of community and that we part of it

[chonky]

I agree bundle - I just have aspirations of grandeur that I could look that together !

[bundle]

Sam Cameron does look rather together, but I'd imagine she gets a lot more help than the average person with a profoundly disabled child

[sis]

maybe there is hope that if those in power have children will special needs, they will see at first hand the problems other children with special needs face especially in mainstream schools .

[chonky]

ps - meant to say, I don't think your feelings are 'wrong' at all

[sorrell]

Of course it is not wrong. Why does every single condition in the world have support groups? Why does Contact-A-Family exist? Having a child with a special need, disability or illness can be extremely isolating and make you feel like a freak. It can be wonderful to find out you are not alone.

[chonky]

I don't know if comfort is the right word, but I think inspiration is a word I'd use. I take inspiration from the fact that these families manage to juggle successful careers, having several kids, and in the case of Sam Cameron still managing to look tres tres chic. Yes, they will have a lot of help to be able to do so, but it makes me feel positive that life does go on, and that it can be done.

[gracej]

Yes, I think it's wrong.
We are only human though! We are not perfect. So don't be too hard on yourself.
Personally, I don't take any comfort. I tend feel extremely sorry for the child. I wish a miracle would happen no child in the world would have to suffer these problems.