Hello everyone.
On Sunday 1st June, my dad slipped half-way down a flight of stairs in my family home. Unfortunately, this broke a bone in his shoulder, and it caused nasty bruising on one side of his body.
My dad shouted in agony, and his reaction was somewhat unrepeatable. I was watching TV with my headphones on at the time, but I was frightened to hear that unexpected thumping and shouting. My mum called an ambulance, and a hospital x-ray checkup indicated he had broken a bone in his shoulder, and it would take an average recovery time of around 6 to 8 weeks to heal.
As a person with autism, I struggle to cope if a friend or relative of mine is unexpectedly injured, or has suffered from a nasty illness. My parents are also my carers, because they know I have autism, and they support me where necessary. In 1999, one of my grandparents tragically died on my 18th birthday. It was one of the worst possible things that could potentially ruin a special occasion like that one.
I struggled to cope with such situations in my childhood days, but as of today (Monday 16th June), I am 33 years old, and although I still struggle at first, I cope a lot better. I gave my dad a 'Get Well Soon' card, and I instructed my relatives to do the same thing. I personally want him to get well soon, and I would literally not rest until he fully recovers. Me and my family are going on holiday in mid-September - hopefully my dad's shoulder bone will be completely healed by then. Coping with my own difficult situations (e.g. transport, thunderstorms etc) is one thing, but if a friend or relative of mine is injured or ill, things are even more difficult for me personally.
Have any of you coped with similar situations? Life at home, the workplace, at school or wherever can be difficult if someone you know is injured or ill. Any similar stories would be appreciated.
Regards
Peter Fray
