Beginnings

I'm starting this blog for therapuetic reasons.  I have a brother, 62, who has developmental disabilities and who has become very high maintenance, especially as both my parents have now passed away.  I find myself boring my friends with all my trials and tribulations, so I thought I would just write them down. 

Also, I have a friend from high school who has an autistic child who has a web page.  He wrote something in it that really helped me; he commented that after losing his wife, his home, and his job due to the issues that develop when you have a severely disabled person in your family, that you go through various stages of adjustment.  One thing he said that really struck me is at some point, you realize that there are people out there who are willing to help you, you don't have to do this totally alone.

But loneliness and isolation are a huge factor.  Caretaking breeds co-dependency for everyone.  In the long run, when the ambulances are called, when the acting out causes problems, I am the sole person responsbile.  It is overwhelming and not many people understand the experience.

But there are people who do.  I have joined a list serve for siblings with disabilities and have met a few people (in person) who really get it.  It's really nice to not have to explain anything and for someone to totally understand what you are going through.

The purpose of this blog is to get the experience down in writing.  Maybe there are a few people out there who will find it interesting.