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Hi dads/ all

I cannot remember how I got involved with Netbuddy but I like what I have seen/ read so far (that is in a constructive way). My name is Jos, I emigrated from Holland in 1995, and I am happily married to my English wife (music teacher and therapist). I understand that I should be grateful for still being in a stable relationship after reading some stories. My 14 year daughter has GDD (Global Developmental Delay), I have MS but I can still sort of move around. We also have a 10 year old son. I suppose I could still have been in a (P/T) job but the combination of 2 conditions proved too much at some point. I hope to exchange useful information/ tips/ ? with you guys, as life can be very complicated at times. All the best.

It's good to hear from you too Alistair. Yes, I will certainly stay in touch, especially now your daughter had the same diagnosis of GDD. I have 'fought', queried and questioned my daughter's state of health for years (lack of oxygene!?), especially as the circumstances under which she was born (and the aftermaths...) gave me enough reasons to do so. But eh, we are talking here about opposing the General Medical Council.... I was more or less forced to give up when it was made clear to me that there would be a long and expensive road to go, mainly because it was difficult to prove that my daughter's condition was caused by let's call it 'human misjudgement'? My wife had a brain haemorrhage soon after (she recovered more or less -thank God for that-), which was another reason to fight one and another. However, when diagnosed with MS myself in 2003 enough was enough and I gave in for my family's sake... I must say that the strength of my wife has been a decisive factor in all this. I regret that things worked out differently on your side. All the best, regards Jos.

Hi josfromglos Hope you doing OK. I know MS kind of has its moments (sorry, but I don't know how else to put it). Not much of a sports fan myself so this is a fairly dismal time for me!

Hi everybody

I have not posted for a while for which I had, I suppose, 'valid' reasons. I hope you 'readers' are all OK under-the-circumstances... My daughter ('has' GDD) was admitted to hospital a few weeks ago, after having been diagnosed, eventually, with a fractured hip. She did hiphop around at times and occasionally complained about pain, but as she can be a copycat, my wife and I were not giving her complaints as much attention as we should have done! She was finally admitted to hospital and operated upon in The Children's Hospital in Bristol, after an initial admission to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. As I was in the position to do so, and necessary because of my daughter's limited understanding of the world around her anyway, I stayed at my daughter's bedside for most of the time, day and night. I suppose it was interesting to see how my daughter (and me with my MS issues...) would cope in a hospital environment surrounded by children/ adolescents withoùt mental issues (ànd theìr parents...). I can say that I had, when it comes to the care, MAINLY positive experiences, although we, my wife and I, also had some negative ones with regard to some 'caring' staff in both hospitals, mainly because of their lack of understanding towards a girl with a mental disability (sorry, 'learning difficulties' is too politically correct and too vague for me and many others around us I assume). Or maybe a mentally disabled adolescent constantly accompanied by a MS dad of dutch origine was a bit much too them? My daughter is now back home, occasionally unattended! hiphopping again, although not allowed by the doctor just yet...; there is a reason for that temporary wheelchair! I also had a humble private chat with one of the mothers off the ward, a lady from Wales who accompanied her son. She had already lost a son due to the MRSA bacterie several years ago she told me in a controlled way, without her prompting the subject.. That IS one of those moments that I can clearly say that things could be worse considering our own situation... An overall good experience, even if it is for the wrong reasons! Sorry, I now have to attend my daughter as she is waking up!.......

......and good to hear from you Alistair. Not in 'talking mode/ mood' at the moment, but I appreciate the contact. Part of the reason for that first remark is that I very much fall behind with administration/ domestic duties, which is partly due to the fact that my daughter has been unwillingly claiming me more as usual lately. Also, the always apparent MS issues do not contribute to an easier life, as I found out in particular when 'assisting' my daughter in hospital(s). I feel extremely lucky for being in a stable relationship Alistair, and I do feel for you not being that fortunate. On the other hand, I feel terribly ùnlucky for having MS at the same time..... no, nothing is perfect indeed.... Where do you actually live Alistair? Take care.