Friends

We've had quite a run of catching up with friends just lately. Last week we were at Kielder with 7 other families that we know via special kids in the uk and had a fantastic time. Some people we see a lot more often than others but it's nice to have some time together all with our own kind of 'normal'.

I know that one friend who's blog is on my list on the right 'witty name to follow' has a few photos up of the week. I need to get off my arse and find my camera lead and upload my photos soon!

I often feel that we don't sit comfortably within a box as a 'normal' family with the differences in the kids ages and R's disabilities. Then again we don't fit that well with some families who have kids with physical disabilities, but we do have a far better understanding of an alternative 'normal' with them than people who have average teenagers. I guess we all have our own definition of normal. Having a holiday with others where I don't have to spend time explaining to people that R is different to the average 17 year old is such a refreshing change. Often people ask about her then their eyes glaze over when I try to explain about Di George Syndrome and autism and learning difficulties etc etc. In the past I have been told by well meaning friends "at least she looks normal"!! Oh yeah, that's an old classic. Do they think that in some way makes up for the fact she CAN'T do a lot of things that the average girl her age can do without support?

We're having to face up to the changes coming up in her life now. She's just turned 17 and in 2 years will have to leave her fantastic special school and move on to a special college or somewhere else. For years I kept my head firmly buried in the sand about the future for her, when she was small I was too scared to look forward as I didn't know what future she may have. As a baby I didn't even know if she'd have one.

Anyway, I now have a wonderful 17 year old daughter who is generally happy and making progress at her own pace. She has a group of friends and is a lovely caring girl.

The other day we spent a bit of time at the local park with another friend from special kids who was in the area - her blog is there too, 'family blog with a difference. Another one of many families that get together through special kids, everyone with different families, different disabilities but so many struggles that are the same when it comes to our kids.

Easter weekend, kids at home on and off, just realised R isn't home yet from her Dads and I thought she'd be back by now! We're off to my parents for the day tomorrow, no doubt with moans from the kids when they realise we've all got to walk there now we don't have a car!

J seems better this week. I'm pretty sure he had skipped a few doses of his medication, especially as when I did have a talk with him the other evening the first thing he said was "you don't have to worry about me, I am taking my meds" and I hadn't even mentioned that. Oh well, I hope it's just a blip and I was getting my knickers in a twist and blowing things out of proportion.

For some reason my last post appeared as one long paragraph, not sure why it did that but hope it's not going to do it this time. I even when back and put paragraphs back in but it didn't save them. I hate trying to read something that's not laid out properly. I could launch into a whole long rant about bad English and grammar etc but I'll save that for another day!