|
Monday, October 5th, 2009
Being Our Kids' Translators & Protectors
Anyone watch Grey’s Anatomy on tv last week? A mom (age 60) arrives in the ER with a huge pulsating tumour in her belly. She’s accompanied by her adult son (living with paranoid schizophrenia) who is convinced his mother has been impregnated by aliens. One thing for sure—this tumour has got to go or the mom will die, Dr. Bailey insists. Here’s a snapshot of the their conversation: Mom: “I can’t have the surgery because there’s no one to take care of my son. I have no family and my husband walked out long ago.” Dr. Bailey: “We’ll call social services and get someone to take care of him while you’re in hospital.” Mom: “No—that’s impossible. They won’t know what to say to keep him calm. They won’t know that he panics in certain grocery stores. And they won’t know how to distract him from the voices in his head. I have to hire someone and train them. It would take at least a week.” Yes, it’s just a medical tv soap. But this scene teared me up because I relate to this mom. Jack and I both know Talia inside and out. We know that often she says “no” when she really means “yes”. We know she wiggles her legs when she’s stressed. And we know that sometimes she laughs or blinks hard when she feels like crying. When others don’t understand her, we often explain her sentences. And when she’s slow to answer someone’s question, we sometimes answer for her (yes—a terrible habit.) We’re so used to being her translators in the world. And since we understand all her glorious quirks we can make life as smooth as possible for her. But this is not a long term solution. I sure don’t want to end up like the mom on Grey’s Anatomy who is the only one who understands and soothes her adult son. How about you?
Posted by
Amy1
on Monday, October 5th, 2009
at 10:01:16 AM
Care to comment ? |
Comments (1)
|
