Mental Challenged Support Group

Hiya,
My name is Jackie and I sooooo get where you're coming from, though i am not as far along the line as you.
My son, Christopher, is 8 now but developmentally really about 15 months. He's a happy chappy and, though he has little recognisable speech, he certainly makes up for it in very noisy babbling!
He is never still and wrecks the house on a daily basis as he tries to eat everything he can lay his hands on.
We have just had a magnetic door lock fixed to our front door to stop him escaping in to the traffic. He just loves to run but has no idea where he's going - just like Forest Gump! To think I used to worry he might never walk!
Like you, I'm still dealing with nappy rash ( not personally!!!) and basically raising a very big and strong toddler.
My closest friends adore Chris, but I have had to distance myself from those who just regard him as a load of hard work and pity me. It drives me crazy that they don't see anything positive in him! He's bloody gorgeous - but then I'm biased and the anti-depressants help.
Feel free to contact me. I'm sure I could learn a lot from your experiences.
Jackie

Hey Jackie, It is so nice to hear from another "permanent Mom" as I call those of us who's toddlers will never grow up. My Meghan also doesn't really speak, but she does use a little sign (as well as her own made up ones) and a wallet that we belt around her waist that has picture icons in it so she can get her point across. She also has her little noises that usually sound like singing. You are lucky that you have one that is developmentally on track. I do to and as Meghan has gotten older, she is following her 15 year old brother's lead and is more interested in age appropriate things like Hannah Montana, make-up and fashion magazines. She doesn't wear makeup or read the magazines but it helps when she is carrying around her magazines instead of baby board books. Meghan has a lot of Autistic tendancies so she rarely makes a mess because she has to have everything "just so" right down to her figets that she arranges on the floor while watching tv and looking at her books. Well, gotta go and switch around the wash (never ending cycle:) -t- P.S. I just found some powder that seems to help with the rash without spreading that stuff on them that is impossible to get off. It is called Caldesene Protecting Powder. It has Zinc Oxide in it and that is the same stuff in the gooey stuff but you can sprinkle it on and it comes off clean. It is in a Pink container and is made by Insight Pharmaceuticals Corp. www.insightpharma.com.

Hi Teresa,

I also have a similar story. My 12 yr old son is Downs and significantly delayed. His developmental age is approximately 2 - 3 yrs but sometimes I feel he understands more. He is non verbal, non toilet trained and tends to act impulsively in many situations. He loves to eat and I have to keep a monitor what he eats to control his weight. I have to say I've done pretty well the past two years. He is very good and loveable, content to be watching movies, loves to swing, swim and ride his special tricycle. He is unaware of danger and has to be watched 24/7. I love him but worry about as he gets older, what things will be like. Feel free to contact me anytime. I am currently a stay at home mom due to Brendan's condition and lack of before and after school care for him and to accomodate his many doctor appointments.

Bonnie

I know exactly how you feel. I have a 22 year old daughter, mentally 18 months. She had a stroke at 15, and now in a wheel chair. I also have 2 sons, 20 and 18. Add me to your buddies if you would like. I haven't been on this web site long, but most of the people are very encouraging.