Hi Seana,

I’m not sure how much dynamics are changed by the number of siblings. AJ and BJ only have each other so I guess that in itself gives them a bond. They are the dynamic duo. Whatever you do at the time as a parent I believe you are doing your best. I look back and wish I’d done this or that but at the time I was doing my best and that’s what counts. No time for regrets really.

Thanks for sharing and take care.

Julie

Also I am running a campaign for a young lady living in VA Beach in a wheelchair. Please check out the campaign. I only need 11 more shirts to be sold and you have six colors to choose from…. I created the design to bring AWARENESS to those that use wheelchairs.
http://www.booster.com/supportfeliciasabitities?ref=copy-link_social_desktop-campaign-page-share-top-v2&utm_campaign=desktop-campaign-page-share-top-v2&utm_content=supportfeliciasabitities&utm_medium=social&utm_source=copy-link&type=1&side=front

We have our 19 year old with ASD, and I’m afraid that his siblings are finding him quite hard to live with and don’t seem to be very nurturing at all. I hope this will change as they get older. In retrospect, I wish we had had more time with the other kids over the years… I have minimised the impact on them in my own mind.

So important to trust your instincts and then to have excellent self care – always so much easier said than done.

Happy birthday BJ and here’s to the next 21 years.

Hi Laura,

So lovely to hear from you. This will sound strange but I was wondering if all was well with your family as I miss our regular ‘likers’ on FB when names don’t pop up for a while.

I am so glad this blog post resonated with you. Hang in there and keep working towards those goals slowly. I had given up on walking for BJ in one way but we kept working on making him strong. His independent steps at 18 haven’t translated into him walking by himself safely but it gave BJ a thrill and us. It built his confidence and all the work on keeping him strong helps him stay healthy and independent with transfers etc. Sometimes the goal just needs to shift to the left a little and change ever so slightly.

Thanks for sharing and take care.

Julie

Hi Fiona,

Very true. It is easy to feel confidence when you are inexperienced but you are right, you need to trust yourself.

Thanks.

Julie

Hi Tanya,

Thanks so much for sharing. I have seen a friend go through ice addiction and it is hard to watch all that is lost and how it takes hold. It must be extremely difficult for you to see your sister go through that.

Take care and thanks for sharing.

Julie

Thanks Birgitta.

Another lesson has been that my supporters (like you) make me stronger.

Love Julie xo