| Is My Mom Just Lazy? |
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It was a beautiful crisp, sunny winter morning, my family was getting
ready to go to church. From my bedroom, I hear the words that hit me like
a brick. IS MY MOM JUST LAZY? My son was speaking to my husband wondering
if Mom was going to be joining the family for church this Sunday.
My reaction at first was utter shock! My first instinct was to jump
out of bed (not literally jump because I would of fallen on my face)
and scream at the top of my lungs...."MOM FEELS TERRIBLE, SHE
IS SO TIRED AND JUST GOT OFF A MONTH OF IV AND ORAL STEROIDS"!1!!1!!
I was lucky if I had the strength to get my head of my pillow that
particular morning. Then there was another feeling that overcame me,
just lay in a ball and cry. My son thinks I'm lazy, I am 36 years
old and feel like 90. This is what parents struggle with dealing
with Multiple Sclerosis.
How can we be effective parents, when we at time do not have the
strength to care for ourselves? I was sure I did all the right things,
as a parent bring MS into the family. I took my husband and children
to all the MS family functions, attended family workshops, my children
did workshops with children their own age. But the truth is, my son
is 10 years old, and this disease is difficult to deal with no matter
the age or how educated you are about the subject. The issues are the
hurt feelings, when Mom cannot be there for a special occasion, or
a big baseball game. They are still our children whether we are
walking or in a chair, and we are still their parents and can be
there for them when we can. I talked with my son for at least an
hour that day, I let him know I love him and I will try to be there
with him when I can. But, sometimes Mom just doesn't feel good
and needs to conserve energy. I explained to him, MS makes Mom
tired and take the energy right out of me, but, when I can be
there I will.
It is very difficult dealing with any chronic disease.
Multiple Sclerosis hits us when we are the prime of our lives,
raising children, maintaining careers. Then one day you wake up
and you realize you're not the parent, spouse, friend, you once
were. I believe we can all be parents to the best of our
ability as long as we love and care for our children. I
know that I will never again be offended if my son makes
another comment. I cannot be offended. Those our his
true feelings, and as a family, we need to share what we
are feeling. We have all learned to be patient with each
other, and not let the Monster get the best of us. MS has
and will continue to change our lives as a family. But it
will never change the people we are, or the love we have
inside of us. Just being ourselves and keeping open
communication within our family , will make us be the
parents our children need.
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| -Copyright 2002-2003 Michelle Tapia . |
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