This posting is a real facebook conversation I had

 This posting is a real facebook conversation I had w/ one of my friends from childhood who also has a son with autism.  Names are changed to protect our children, families, and people who don't get it...

Please enjoy the music....

POSTING ON Facebook:

Article: Son with autism elopes, reminds parents to remain vigilant

Holly:   Henry is prone to wandering. This article really explains the fear and panic you go through as a parent. The last time Henry wandered off I found him at the neighbors house. Since we were planning to go there later in the day, it was the first place I looked. I just pray that he doesn't wander again.

• • Muppethead:   Bub wandered off from us once when a bunch of family was visiting. I don't like having lots of people over anymore because of it. Way too distracting to have people to entertain and risk losing track of where he is. I never want to go thru that again.
    

    41 minutes ago ·
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    Holly:  I feel the same way. I do not have "fun" when we do have people over because I feel that I have to watch Henry the whole time. People probably think I am rude when in mid conversation I bolt because Henry is leaving the room.
    

    38 minutes ago ·
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    Muppethead:  I know. and then other family members get upset because you don't want to do big reunions or holiday get-togethers. Every time I bring Bub to one I am a mess!
    

    37 minutes ago ·  
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    Holly:  Yup I totally agree. The work and the emotional toll being out at something like that is so hard to explain. The older Henry gets the less I enjoy hosting Thanksgiving with everyone. It is my favorite holiday, but at 7 Henry can let himself right out of the house with ease. When he was 4 I could lock the door and feel pretty secure he wouldn't get out. No longer.
    

    31 minutes ago ·
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    Muppethead:  Last Christmas, at grandma's with all the relatives visiting...Bub got so upset he stripped. I was actually happier with that than the time he ran off.
    

    29 minutes ago · ·
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    Holly:  At Christmas I try to pick a room that can be just for Henry. I take him to that room first and we sit down and talk about our safe room. I tell him that if things are too loud or hurting him that he can go to this room to calm his body and get away from everything. Then when I see things getting too crazy for him, I suggest the room. "Henry do you need to go to the safe room?" He usually replies with a very thankful "yes" and off we go to the safe room. (sometimes I wish I had my own safe room...tee hee)
    
    
    Muppethead
  • can I take our string of comments and use it as my next blog entry? would you be ok with that
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    47 minutes ago

    Holly:
    

    that is a-ok with me. I am just hoping my family actually reads it. more specifically my in laws. did I ever tell you that *deleted*  asked me when Henry would be cured?
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    46 minutes ago

    Muppethead

    • REALLY?!? Did you tell him Henry will be cured when *deleted's* brain starts working?
    • I would be super upset...
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    45 minutes ago

    HollyI was super upset, but I know *deleted* is just old and doesn't really understand
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    44 minutes ago

    Muppethead

    • Back to the reunion- ... watching Bub streak... *I was laughing my ass off on the inside...*
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    43 minutes ago

    Holly
    

    but that is exactly what I was thinking, he will be cured when your "foot in mouth" disorder is cured
    that is super funny on the streaking...it is sometimes nice to be able to look back on it and realize that now people will better understand

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    44 minutes ago

    Muppethead

    • I'm sorry you have to go thru that.
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    43 minutes ago

    Holly

    • good to hear that there is progress
    • I think there is progress with our family too, it goes in spurts
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    42 minutes ago

    Muppethead

    • yes. A lot. oddly..I think Henry has helped MY parents better understand what life w/ Bub is like. They tell me about you and Henry a lot. :)
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    41 minutes ago

    Holly

    • that is good
    • did they witness the meltdown at Sunday School Rally day on Sunday?
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    38 minutes ago

    Muppethead

    • It would only have been Dad. Mom's in CA
      
      
      
  • We go on like this for another hour or so. It's nice to have friends that get it.  that I don't have to go into great and detailed background with...that I can say "elopement" and they say.."Yes!  That happened to us too!  It was the most horrible thing that ever happened to me!!!"  
    Although, I am not happy that this has happened to my friend...I'm just happy I can talk to her and not get the "yeah...here's another crazy B...run away" look.
    Gnite folks.  :)