We’ve been trying to find out why Thing 1 is the way he is.  It doesn’t really make a difference when it comes to treatment but we’re anal and like having answers.

What we know for sure is that he has damage within his brain.  The technical term is Metabolic Encephalopathy between the Caudal Cortex and Frontal Lobe.  That’s just a fancy way of saying some of the connections are missing and part of his brain is overactive and the rest is underactive.  It presents itself as hyperactive ADHD.

There are a few possible causes to why this has happened.  The most probable reason is my pregnancy and his birth.  My Celiac was undiagnosed at the time and since I wasn’t absorbing nutrients I was starving him as well.  We both survived only by the toxins leaking through the perforations in my bowel.  We made it to 38 weeks but he was very small.  While he was in the birth canal his heart stopped beating.  Using a vacuum we got him out.  He had gone without oxygen for nearly a minute.  We were warned then it may have caused brain damage but developmentally we appeared to be in the clear.  Perhaps not?

Next is genetics.  The Hubby has also received an ADHD diagnosis except the he and Thing 1 are in completely different ballparks.  On a scale of 1 to 10, the Hubby is a 3 and Thing 1 an 8.

Celiac can also cause this kind of Damage.  I do not have this type of damage but every Celiac presents differently.  Thing 1 shows no other symptoms but we can’t rule it out.  Blood tests will not yield answers since we are IgA deficient  and he is not emotionally in any state to handle having a biopsy.

The only theory we can prove (eventually) is the Celiac.   He will soon be completely Gluten & Casein free and we’ll see how it goes.

Like many every other parent who has a child with ADHD (or any non-physical disability) we face judgement on our parenting skills.  I admit that before seeing it in my nephew (and before having children myself) that I too thought ADHD may have been simply an excuse for bad parenting.  I know better now, perhaps it’s karma?  I had never said that out loud to anyone though.

A few months back a neighbour whom I *thought* was a friend (heck she even almost delivered Thing 2) passed judgement on the Hubby and I to everyone in our neighbourhood who would listen.  I have to point out that B does not have any children herself.  She let everyone know that we are “shit parents” and that we cannot control Thing 1.  I thought she was a friend so it hurt.  I was informed of this while away, a mere hour before putting my Grandfather in the ground.  The person who told me the comment at that time isn’t much better in my books but I digress.

I am bothered by this whole situation.  The weather is getting nicer and if we go out it’s very uncomfortable.  The kids are unaware of the situation and even they notice the tension.  Everyone stares at us waiting for us to screw up.  Who knew that everyone else in my neighbourhood were all perfect parents?  When B comes out it’s even worse.  She even has the gall to play with my kids.  She has made no attempt to talk to the Hubby or myself and has said that it is us who owe her an apology.  What for, I don’t know.

I don’t need to defend my parenting, I know that, but it ticks me off none the less.  We do our best to stay calm at all times and would move mountains if we could for our children.  We’re not perfect but given the circumstances I think we’re both doing a fantastic job.

If our child were in a wheelchair, NO ONE would question our parenting but since this is a disability you can’t ’see’ it must be our fault.

I’m just upset because it isn’t fair.  Why should one person’s ignorance cause our entire family to feel uncomfortable?  I also can’t understand how other parents can’t see that?  We’re being the bigger people in this and it just sucks.  They clearly weren’t real friends to begin with but it doesn’t help the situation now.

Tonight the neighbourhood girls are having a girls night.  I was flat out told I was not invited because B is mad at me.  Shame on B and shame on everyone else for excluding us instead of standing up for what’s right.

I have to add that neither of us have any interest in getting drunk or going to a bar, but the intentional exclusion is uncalled for.  Also, B had a boyfriend for the past 2 years and would barely say 2 words to any of us until recently which begs to ask how she’d know a thing about our parenting and makes me wonder why anyone would flock to her now.

This blows.

Our wireless router dies over the weekend.  We haven’t replaced it yet but notice I’m still online?

People, ALWAYS secure your network.  If you don’t people like me will steal your bandwidth.

Anyways, I’m looking for suggestions for a new router.  I have a couple in mind but it’s been a long time since I’ve had to buy one.  Our dead one is older than our kids.

We want an N router, no internal storage with a firewall.  It needs to have QoS priorities for our VOIP.

Any recommendations?

I’m feeling very overwhelmed lately.  Everything is just ‘life’ stuff like freelance work, kids, my ongoing battle with food etc.   This winter is also doing a number on my sinuses over night so throw in the lack of sleep and I’m a bit of a mess.

We all get this way sometimes and it always passes so I’m not telling you all this for a pity party but rather for advice.  You see, when I get this way I shut down.  I figure if I prioritize things on paper (where applicable) and go through it all like a checklist then it may ease the load… or would making such a list just be adding more things that need to be done?

How do all of you deal with life’s little storms without losing your mind?

Recently I asked for prayers about sweet Taylor.  Unfortunately the news is grim.  Her brain has deteriorated to the point where she will not be able to sustain life for much longer.

So sad, it is unimaginable to me what her parents must be feeling.  I still ask for prayers.  Her parents would at very least like to see some sign of life, say a smile, before she goes.

I have a question.  I know that her parents are not the only ones to have lost a child.  I understand I can’t possibly make their pain go away but I’m clueless on how to comfort them.  What can I do?