Sorry. None here.
husband has never read an evaluation report.
He's never read my adhd website or Letter to Teacher site.
Though he's aware of it, he's never read one post on this site.
http://www.fathersnetwork.org/593.html?page=593&SESSION=b3049c8fddeef6b74f1ba31d9e962092&s=0 is a website written by a dad with a special needs child.
Maybe it being written by a man will help.
The following is one page on grieving. I could "feel" the difference in the way guys talk to each other vs how women interact here. I found the message the same; but the tone to be very different.
Some Thoughts On Grief
by Ian John
Gentlemen, you are about to enter the pre-season of the big leagues. It is a period in ones life called "Grief." Some of you have experienced it before, and for others, this is your first time. It is a part of life, and for some reason you were selected. Dont ask me why; I dont have a clue!
When a tragedy or crisis occurs in our lives, we feel as though we have totally lost control. Men have a hard time feeling out of control; I know I do. We were raised to fix things, make them right. Dads, grief is normal and healthy. It either makes you bitter or better. Grief is a God-given emotion that allows us to empty out the deep feelings that must not be kept inside. Your choosing to endure this period in your life will make you a stronger and more mature man.
Things to remember:
Your child being born with special needs has nothing to do with your manhood; leave the macho stuff behind.
Do not put distance between yourself, what happened, and your family.
Go through the grieving, deal with your emotions, learn from them.
Men stay and find solutions; boys make excuses and forsake their commitments.
Your focus should not be on what has happened to you, but on what has happened to your child.
The fact that your child is born with special needs is not going to change; you have to change!
Your spouse/partner needs your support on this one.
Your child needs a father, so "step up to the plate."
Ask for help, its a strength to do so. Join a support group, find another man who has a child with special needs because you need to learn about your childs disability and your new world.
You are now an exceptional father entering a higher level of manhood; take good care of yourself.
Ian John is the father of Nicky, a wonderful young lady challenged by profound cerebral palsy. A single father, Ian is writing a series of short essays about the challenges men confront when raising a child with special needs. He hopes to have them published in the near future as well as used in hospital and early intervention centers.