Re: Rudeney already voted.

On 26 Jun 2006 08:36:50 -0700, "Princess Buttercup"
<mandymacagain@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Charlie,

Maybe I missed the memo, because it's been a few years now, but I still
remember you telling that poor woman whose son didn't want to learn to
ride a bike that he was a retard and she should have him checked out.

Please do not put words in my mouth. I never referred to anyone's
child as a "retard." I might be mean when I need to use harsh words
to make a point but I'm not an ***.

I recall that exchange, very well. A person made a heart-spilling
post about her child who was exhibitting extreme anti-social behavior
and, based upon the descriptions given, suffered from a form of
depression.

I offered some advice on possible avenues to explore to find out why
the child (actually it was a teen who, along with never learning to
ride a, bike expressed no interest in normal social experiences like
dating or even going out with friends) might be acting in such a
repressed manner.

Sorry, but seeing someone go through mental pain is something that
tugs at me. It breaks my heart to see or hear about anyone who is
suffering from something and not being given help.

I compared ignoring these signs to seeing someone physically injured
and not attempting to find help for them.

I also made an offer to point her in the direction of free services
in her area if she wished to have someone talk to her son.

If you will recall, although it will be very inconvenient toward your
completely embellished recount of the situation in this post, that
person THANKED me for saying what I did because she knew all of this,
deep down and was just in denial/hoping it would fix itself.

Despite that, some people couldn't let go of the ill-conceived concept
that I was being out of line, leading to saying, years later:

That was SO freaking mean, I've never forgotten it.

So, what did you do? Just stop reading the thread, once you formed
your opinion or just ignore anything that didn't support it?

Have you changed, you think? I haven't seen you go after someone like
that in a while, I must say.

Oh, I've "gone after" Ed for his behavior. I've "gone after" people
in the news who are abusing the legal system to get hush money from
The Disney Companay. The poster to whom you are referring, I did not
"go after." I offered helpful advice for which she was thankful.

By the way, how is your son doing? Being a parent sure does make you
grow some compassion for other parents, I think.

Austin just turned 11 on Friday and is in full hormonal rage from the
onset of puberty. He's at that confusing stage where he wants to be
an adult and a kid all at the same time. Add to that, he's about a
foot taller than most kids his age and gets the funny looks when he
wants to do something geared toward kids his age while, on the
outside, looking about 13 or 14.

I've seen some strange looks, over the last year, following his growth
spurt, when he gets "little kid excited" over seeing a character at
WDW.

Other than trying to convince him that he can't date women in their
twenties just yet, he is maturing well. I was pretty happy when his
birthday wish was for me to take him to Barnes and Noble and let him
buy "as many books as he wanted." I told him I'd put a $100 limit on
it and he was happy as can be.

But, honestly, as far as being compassionate toward other parents, in
the exchange you are referring to, I think I was the most
compassionate toward her plight, versus those who thought she should
just let the kid continue to go on building walls around himself.

Foxtrot
.