Okay, things are never as bad as they could be. This story breaks my heart on many levels. I have the same birthday as Burt Bacharach, but am the same age as his daughter. The last concert I attended was Burt Bacharach. More than anything, it wrings at the heart of every parent, especially those with a special needs child. My child could make a bad decision with his differently wired brain. How do I protect him? Will my child be happy? Will my child find people to connect with as friends and lovers? Will other people see in my child the wonderful person that I see?
If my children ever make threats to harm themselves, even during selfish, bratty tantrums, it WILL be taken with complete seriousness. Life is too short and precious. No problem is too big.
There, but for the Grace of God …
I spend many months living in terror that my son would decide that he had finally had enough of dealing with his demons. Miraculously, we both survived. But I am once again traveling those dark highways, this time with another child. Since shortly before Thanksgiving, I have been fighting that same unseen demon for the life of my child. (If the anonymous snarker hangs out here too, THAT’S where I was. Now please go stuff yourself somewhere dark and smelly).
It is a nightmare that I would not wish on my worst enemy.