A mother of an autistic child Tuesday morning shared the distressing experience of caring for her ward amidst inconsiderate words and posturing of society.
According to Pearl Addae, she has, among other things stopped going to church because of the attitude and reaction of the public when she goes out with her special child.
Narrating her ordeal on Morning Starr, she noted she could not handle the embarrassment she once received from the public at the mall when her son begun throwing tantrums after seeing people. She stressed sales personnel at the mall used abusive language on her child without having sympathy for the state of the infant.
On church, Mrs. Addae recounted the kind of curious looks she gets from members when her son reacts to the surrounding because of his special condition.
“I once took my son to the hospital and he went around biting and pinching people. I had to chase him around and later a man came around to ask if my son was mentally ill. I told him, he is a special child. At the mall, my boy would sometimes run around, pinch and bite people. I have people asking if I do not know how to raise my child wild. Some even ask if he is mad.
“I have stopped going to church because my son will just not sit. You will either spot him at the pulpit pinching or biting the pastor . There are times he is seen biting or pinching the instrumentalists,” she noted while sharing her experience with the condition on Morning Starr.
For her part, Baaba Enchill, Founder – Hopesetters Autism Center urged society to be more accommodating and supportive of parents who are handling such situations.
“In times like these what all need to do is to ask ‘how can I help”. That is how to show support as a society.
“The joy I have is that I see the children coming in with so many challenges and over time they do so well and learn new skills. Once in a while at the centre, we have parent training so parents can continue the training process at home”.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM
