Today I want to discuss the brain damage my child has. I know this topic is covered in a lot of places in the technical specifics and here is a fantastic reference (http://www.come-over.to/FAS/FASbrain.htm) but I don’t see much in the “everyday living” kind of stuff covered. And by that I mean the reality, and how it plays out in our everyday lives. In the last 5 days, I have had two circumstances specifically where people who think they understand my sons condition, say things to me that guarantee me they have no clue what the truth is.
Point one: I was told flat out the doctors lied to me about his functioning level. They said there is no way he could be that damaged, He thinks of things no one else considers and you don’t give him enough credit.
Point two: Oh he can drink a few and be fine, it’s when he drinks too much that his FASD kicks in.
Are you kidding me?! In both of these situations, both of these people honestly thought they were right and they both believe they know something about FASD. But if they did, they would know that in situation number one just because some of his brain doesn’t work right doesn’t mean he can’t be brilliant in other parts. It’s like if I sprain my ankle, yes my ankle is out of commission but my leg is still functional. My knee will still bend and my toes still wiggle. Also see ( http://come-over.to/FAS/TriLevelMan.htm)
Point number two…..No he can not just have a few, because a few affect him more than a normal man.
The brain of the person with FASD functions similarly to the way the person who is inebriated functions. For a person with FASD to have one drink is like having one drink after having already had 3 drinks, and has a greater impact on judgment. One or two drinks for a person with FASD is the equivalent of a six-pack of beer or an entire bottle of wine. (taken from http://www.come-over.to/FAS/FASDdrink.htm)
FASD is not something that magically turns on and off at a whim. With or without a substance involved.
The brain is a complex organ. Period!!!
So stop telling me I don’t know the truth. Because I live with it daily and have for 22 years!
Until you have lived with this person day in and day out for 22 years and been the one who has had to deal with the unpredictable behaviours, the paranoia and delusions,the drunken rages and destructive behaviours, or having to bail him out of jail repeatedly………or you simply get some true education on the issue.I really don’t think you have a right to say anything about this topic. Especially to me!!
I have never been and will never be perfect and I have most definitely made mistakes with my child’s upbringing but I have always tried my best to do the best I could in the situation we were in.
Rant over.
amomsperspectiveblog 