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As we meet more and more families through schools, respite resources, carers groups and people generally pointed in our direction for advice and sympathy, I come to realise that we are by no means on our own in having a family with more than one disabled child. I have three children, Rosie (who is 11 and has Asperger Syndrome), Daisy (9, rare genetic syndrome called Kabuki) and Leonard (who we have never called Leonard, only ever Lenny - he is seven is classically autistic and as yet has only a handful of words at his disposal). I sincerely apologise for defining my children by their disabilities; in more normal circumstances I never would (This is Lenny : he's terribly handsome, lots of fun, and a big handful!') (Daisy; unbearably sweet, main interests include splashing, spinning and bananas) (have you met Rose? She's very funky (obviously) she loves her pet rat, Albert Einstein, and has an ambition to become a stand up comedienne). I never had a clear picture of how my life would turn out. Maybe I lacked ambition in this respect, but hey. One thing I can promise you; had someone described my family life as it would be at aged 25 I would probably have had some sort of a seizure. But it is ok; I promise you. I am nowhere near nervous breakdown phase (although there have been 'teetering on the edge' times). My family is a wonderful rainbow of colour and fun. My main regret is the lack of interaction between the children. That is one of the things that you picture, isn't it, as a prospective parent?. Watching on with a wistful smile as your children play, fight and grow together. My children never play together. They hardly every acknowledge one another (although Daisy and Lenny have the occasional fight over a biscuit). When the younger two arrive home on their separate school buses, I will say to Rose (who is very intellectually and verbally able); "Daisy and Lenny are home sweetheart, are you going to ask them how their day has been?" Bless her for trying, she plays along, "Hello there, Daisy, Hello Lenny" she will say in an exaggerated tone. "What have you been up to today then?" She will invariably wander off or start watching telly before they have had chance to answer. And who can blame her; they have never answered yet... Fundamentally if feel blessed. I have been awakened to a new level of reality through my children's disabilities, and I am a richer, more real person for the experience. I would love to hear from anyone who identifies with my situation X
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