Hi,

I really feel for you as it is so hard to face the kind of prejudice you have been facing. I know it is hard to do but try not to focus on the negative comments and views of other narrow minded people. Focus on the good people, like family and friends who you know are not judging,,,,,who really love you.

I believe that in life,,,,whether there is a disability involved or not,,,there is alway going to be people you meet who judge you, don't like you or try to make your life unhappy........It is just a fact of life,,,,,,so,,,,,just focus on the good people who matter and stuff the rest of them!

Lisa xxx 

My daughter is now 7. Since birth she has had severe bowel problems and is now totally incontinent and having to still wear nappies. She also has acute oesophagitis that affects her ability to eat and gain/maintain weight she is therfore on a high calorie high fat diet. IQ is low/borderline and has developmental delays. Her main diganosis is reactive attachment disorder co diganosed with ADHD, ASD.  She has spent most of her life in hosp for treatment surgery etc.

We have been at shops hospitals schools etc where I have copped insults and accusations that I am no good as she's in nappies and eating 'junk  food'! One particular event that stands out is the other day we were at a shopping centre during the quiter part of the day when a clothes courier popped outta a service door rather loudly. Needless to say she got a fright started screaming placed her hands over her ears I knelt down to try and console her only for her to start punching me in this situation its best to leave her to settle before escorting her away. To top this off she overflowed her nappy I pulled a bluey outta our bag stood up and asked shop attendant behind us if she could please call the cleaning crew. She said to me no way she's calling security and doc's cause I have no control over or affection for my daughter. During this whole episode there was whispers and finger pointing not one person offered help!  And yet 2 weeks ago at same shops I was one of a group of people who helped an eldely gent who was rather distressed and had wet himself!  Another time end of last year she had dropped well below 20kg was admitted to hosp for continual NG feeds she still has a bottle as needed (I & Dr's prefer bottle to NG tubes) and was drinking one when a mum came up and said to her "why you being such a baby your a big girl now you dont need that" then she turned to me and was about to say something when the NUM stepped in.  These kinda things happen all the time and I'm sorry but I'm prob just a bit sensitive to it all at the moment. Hope this helps

It's hard not to judge. It's inbuilt in us. We see and make a decision based on that. Only when we look past a child to see the parents we get a broader view of the situation. When ask we are informed. The older we get the more instilled ideas become. Take comfort, your not the only one. I've been judged for b/f, not allowing my kids certain items, even had comments that my 4yr old should be at school. He looks older then he is. Concentrate on your beautiful daughter, she deserves your focus, not narrow minded know it alls!!!

While I agree that we shouldn't judge a book by it's cover, not knowing exactly what you have been through as an example makes it hard to have empathy or a full understanding of what the whole article is about.  It sounds as if you have been through a rough time, perhaps you would be able to share some of those situations to validate the article further? 

I do think that parents are judged when children misbehave because they are still in their parents care, rightly or wrongly, unless a child has an obvious disability, people tend to be judgemental.  If everyone could offer help in times of stress out in public, the world would be an easier place.  That being said, most old folks don't have live parents, though I can see how you would find the situation frustrating.

A great reminder.  It is so easy to just assume things.  We all need to stop and think about things before we react.