Light at the End of the Tunnel

by Susan R
(Clearwater, Fla., USA)

I am the parent of a 27 year old daughter with Sensory Processing disorder that was diagnosed (finally) when she was 6 years old. Up to that point, I had been called dysfunctional, accused of having Munchausen syndrome, you can only imagine the gamut of my "diagnoses." I did not sleep through the night for so many years... with her getting up at night... that I do not sleep well even now.

The reason that I am writing is to let you know that there is light at the end of the tunnel... as least there was in my case. Maria went through special education graduating at age 20 with a special diploma. She does not have good reading or math skills but what she lacks in regard to that, she makes up for in her intuitive skills and her common sense. She has worked at Publix as a bagger for the last 7 years and is getting married next April.

Working as a volunteer with the elderly seemed to be the time when she really started to open up and come alive. She felt needed and responded ever so positively. Her speech was vastly improved. Having been through Hospice with a couple of family members, she quickly zeroed in on Hospice patients in the nursing home and seemed to have a gift for knowing what they needed. She has been present at several deaths with the nurses at the request of the patients.

She has had a few relationships and is now getting married... which will present some other challenges, I am certain. But, we made it through the first 5 years of her life so I think we can handle this as well.

God Bless all of you with your children... give them patience and lots and lots of love.