Results of New Government Study
Wow it's in all the news tonight. A new government study, more extensive than any prior, has indicated that autism is more prevalent in the U.S. than they thought it was. The new results are that 1 in 150 children in the U.S. have autism. That's over 1/2 million kids between 1 and 21 in the U.S. with autism. Looks like funding and services provided will get another look from government officials. It's about time!
Labels: autism
posted by Scoutpost at
5:50 PM
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3 Comments:
I never realized how many children have it. It's nice to see that government might actually try to do something about it.
Hi Scout,
I just read your comments at the Stories of the Lost blog, the post from Not in Portland. I wanted to let you know I am praying for you, and I thought your blog would be a better place since there's a new post up on the Stories page and you'd probably not go back to the Portland one.
I can relate to your struggles with your mom. My mom died in 1988, just 17 months after dad. She had lots of things wrong with her (diabetes, COPD, congestive heart failure), most of them for many years. I am the 4th of 5 children, the oldest two live out of our state, one still in driving distance (day trip), but those two did not keep in touch with her much. Out of the 3 of us who live locally I was the one who paid attention to her daily. Don't get me wrong, it is not the same situation as yours. Mom was a very strong willed woman and very independent. But I met her for breakfast several times a week, we played computer games together, we really had a good friendship. I am a stay at home mom too, and the other sibs work during the day so I was the available one. When she had to go to the hospital, I could be there. I was her health proxy, etc. I know my sibs did not see her as "needing" them. Yet when she died and I was able to say "Mom picked out this music, those scriptures, these arrangements" the oldest two went ballistic. As if I were blaming them for not knowing her last wishes. I never blamed them for how their relationship with mom was or wasn't. I felt sorry for them, 'cause I knew how regret can eat at your soul. So I felt sad for them, but I also invited them to be as involved as they wanted to be with the final arrangements.
I guess if I had to do it all over again I would call my sibs more and try to encourage them to keep more in touch with mom and dad. But in the end they have to live with what is, and come to terms with all they did or did not do. For me, I have no regrets, and that at least they can't take from me.
I am glad to say that I have a good to great relationship with all my sibs now. It has taken some work, but it has been worth it. Have hope, do what you need to in order for you to look at yourself in the mirror and say "I did my all." No regrets. Hopefully you will be able to have these conversations with your brother, and together you'll find a way to take care of mom as a team. I pray so. And I pray your family will understand your sacrifices for your mom, and not feel shortchanged themselves.
Big hug, like Dark Angel said. You are loved.
if you want to talk more, or just vent or cry, email me at amused2bhere at yahoo dot com
sorry for the loooong post. I get carried away...
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