Tom Bickerby in The Times is getting his head around having a Downs Syndrome son called Alex. He loves him to bits. He finds other people a trial sometimes. Know the feeling. Made me think of what those other people could do instead of talking.
Having had a bit of bother I'd like to suggest a few things . They could: make a cup of tea instead of waiting for one, buy a load of nappies - the right size - take brothers and sisters out for three hours without fuss and bring them back properly fed, pick up from school, babysit for two hours at ta moment's notice and take the dog for a long walk.
Offer to take the car for its MOT, hoover the stairs, clean the bathroom, all without need of thanks or permission. They could tell a child a story, bake a cake or a stack of scones and make sure mum and dad get some. They could also talk about something else, anything else, and be amusing with it, because sometimes all you really need, when life is tough, is a good laugh.
A son with Down Syndrome, not a 'Down Syndrome son'.
ReplyDelete