Hi,
I'm writing on here because I really dont know what else to do and thought someone on here might be able to advise or even sympathise. My DS has cerebral palsy and is 20 years old. He is currently attending his 2nd year of university and prior to this attended college for 3 yrs. He has social anxiety and OCD as well. Ever since he started college 5 years ago, he has been very lonely and hasnt been able to make friends. I dont know if his wheelchair is a barrier or his social anxiety or both, but no-one really speaks to him. He told me someone will occasionally say hi but it's very rare. When he made no friends in college, we thought this would change at uni and had high hope's someone would see past his disability. My DS has a lovely personality and has a brilliant sense of humour but can be awkward around people he doesnt know. However, he has tried to make an effort and chat to people in his university. Most people chat to him for a few minutes and then the conversation dies down and my DS just leaves. He felt very sad today because the lecturer asked people to get together and "brainstorm" but no-one came to him. Seeing this, the lecturer asked the class at large that can someone go and sit with him and help with brainstorming. Even then, no-one came to sit with him. My DS just felt so crushed and has been very down since. He told me that no matter how much he tries, he cant get people to talk to him. It really hurts to see him like this. Theres many more incidents like these that have made him feel isolated. It makes me angry and sad at the same time because hes worked so hard to get to university but his lack of a social life/friends is getting in his way of him being happy at the course he has always wanted to do.
I dont know how to help him.