Omg. My MIL: "people with Down syndrome are mentally retarded?!"

[LaraMN]

and: "they have an extra 21st chromosome? Did you know that?"

:banghead:

I just spent a freaking HOUR on the phone with her. She called me because she'd gotten her hands on an article that claimed there is a vitamin-based "treatment" for Down syndrome.

:banghead:

I am well aware of the purported "cure." It is a crock. I tried to explain as much. I don't think she listens.

Good to know that certain family members have learned NOTHING about Downs, despite having Jack around.

:banghead:

[La Lioness Priyanka]

1. sigh.

[LaraMN]

2. Yeah. That's about it.

:eyes:

[Burma Jones]

3. Ugh.....

I have an Aspie, I know from whence you speak.......

[LaraMN]

4. The worst part is that I know that I could explain things to her,

and it would just go in one ear and out the other.
I try, but I know it's basically futile.

[Burma Jones]

19. The Road to Total Bullshit is paved with good intentions........

[Sequoia]

5. Well, LauraMN here's a little song for you.

Mother-in-Law
Ernie K-Doe

Mother-in-law, mother-in-law
Mother-in-law, mother-in-law
The worst person I know
Mother-in-law, mother-in-law
She worries me so
Mother-in-law, mother-in-law
If she leave us alone
We would have a happy home
Sent from down below
Mother-in-law, mother-in-law
Mother-in-law, mother-in-law
Sin should be her name
Mother-in-law, mother-in-law
To me they are about the same
Mother-in-law, mother-in-law
Everytime I open my mouth
Then she tries to put me out
How could she stoop so low
Mother-in-law, mother-in-law
Mother-in-law, mother-in-law
I come home with my pay
Mother-in-law, mother-in-law
She ask me what I made
Mother-in-law, mother-in-law
She thinks her advice is a constitution
If she would leave that should be the solution
And don't come back no more
My mother-in-law, mother-in-law.

[LaraMN]

9. *snort!*

My MIL is sweet and well meaning, at least. She's just dense. Really, really dense.

[redqueen]

6. Wow.

:hug:

[LaraMN]

10. I'm not *entirely* surprised.

:eyes:

[mike_c]

7. vitamins?!

Oy.

[LaraMN]

11. It is as "simple"as that, according to the article.

Forget that the chromosomal anomaly present from around the time of conception causes abnormal structural development in the brain and body IN UTERO... vitamins will fix it!


:banghead:

[China_cat]

18. At least she left out the chiropractic 'adjustments'

that are supposed to make the vitamins work better.

I have a son with MS. The quacks make me furious.

[ThomCat]

20. Most people insist on believing in magical cures.

It's hard-wired into us. :(

[Arugula Latte]

8. That just sucks.

:(

:hug:

[LaraMN]

12. It's just annoying, that's all.

:eyes:

[stuntcat]

13. hope she feels real good about herself after this talk

:eyes:

Maybe she's moved onto something/someone else.

[VenusRising]

14. I'm sorry she can be so frustrating for you.

I guess this is one of those times where reading one article makes her an expert on the subject.

"Mentally retarded"? Oy!! :eyes:

Hang in there. :hug:

[Pierre.Suave]

15. YEAH! Well I heard that...

Mother in Laws are actually missing brain regions that control things like logic and reasoning...


or something like that...:evilgrin:

[stuntcat]

21. ..

this would fucking explain a lot x(

[Pierre.Suave]

25. you didnt know this

I thought everyone knew this...

[graywarrior]

16. I used to work with Down's Syndrome group homes

I'd take them out for recreational activities and nearly had to clock a few idiots who insisted on giving me advice on how to treat them. One time a woman announced in front of about 10 of my group how awful it was that they had Down's Syndrome. Later that day I found one of my guys, Paul, in his room crying his eyes out. When I asked him what was wrong, he wailed "I hate being retarded." People are so dumb that they think their remarks are not understood. Idiots.

[Midlodemocrat]

32. I work with kids with DS. BabyMidlo asked me once in the car

if a certain child had DS and I said yes.

From the backseat, Nadilee, who also has DS shouts "Me,too! I have Down SYndrome". And when she found out that the neighbor was pregnant with a baby with Down Syndrome, she was thrilled to announce to the bus stop that 'Jackie is having a baby just like me'.

If only we could all be so accepting.

[graywarrior]

45. Wow, things have changed over the years.

Good for them. I used to pity them. Not anymore.

[NewWaveChick1981]

17. Geez...

:hug: :pals: That's incredibly ignorant. My MIL likes to diagnose people's "medical conditions" by reading articles in the newspaper, and she's convinced my niece has Marfan Syndrome (she doesn't) and that my husband has a whole host of medical problems (he doesn't). Because she reads an article, she's an instant expert, and OF COURSE all the information contained in that article is absolutely factually 100% correct. :eyes: Sounds like your MIL and my MIL went to the same School of MIL Behavior. :P

[Pierre.Suave]

27. I refer you to...

Post 15 for reference.

[NewWaveChick1981]

31. Precisely.

:thumbsup: I think you diagnosed that problem without having to read a newspaper article or anything....:P :rofl: :hi:

[Pierre.Suave]

35. That is because

I still have the capability to use reason and logic...

[formerrepuke]

22. 'Vitamin-based treatment' for Downs...sounds like more snake-oil from Kevin Trudeau..n/t

[IndianaJones]

23. Is "Down's" considered improper or is it interchangeable? nt.

[Pale Blue Dot]

24. Legally, you're allowed to hit her if she mentions "homeopathy".

Keep that in mind. And good luck. :hug:

[Midlodemocrat]

26. Let me at her.

:grr:

[Kerrytravelers]

28. Feel free to send her my way.

When I was still a classroom-based teacher, I had many beautiful Down's kids as students in my inclusion classroom. Hearing stories like this just makes my blood boil. :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr:


:grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr:

[krispos42]

29. The Wikipedia article says "extra 21st chromosome", is that inaccurate?

Don't hit me, I'm totally clueless about genetic disorders!

:hide:

Down syndrome or trisomy 21 (usually Down's Syndrome in British English<1>) is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of an extra 21st chromosome. It is named after John Langdon Down, the British doctor who described it in 1866. The disorder was identified as a chromosome 21 trisomy by Jérôme Lejeune in 1959.

<more>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Down_syndrome

Is this inaccurate? Do I need to log into Wikipedia and fix it?

[LaraMN]

30. No- that's accurate.

It's often called "Trisomy 21," in the medical community.

My MIL didn't know that. After 4 + 1/2 years with a grandson who has Downs (whom she sees nearly every week,) I'd have figured she at least knew the basis of the condition.

[krispos42]

33. OOOHHHHH! I get it!

:rofl:



Any week now, she'll give you a call..

"Lara, honey, did you hear about the Space Shuttle Columbia? It just burned up on re-entry!"

"Holy Crap, we're invading Iraq! Turn on the TV!"

:rofl:

[Rabrrrrrr]

40. Sonofabitch, we have aircraft that can fly all the way to Prussia!

[FloridaJudy]

41. Has she hit you yet with

"Well, it's not from our side of the family!" :grr: :banghead:

That one drives me nuts. I have a son with a learning disability, and I used to get that all the time from my former in-laws. No, you folks are just congenitally boorish and unkind. Thank the gods he doesn't take after you!

[Whoa_Nelly]

34. That is so frustrating!

And, I can sympathize with it all.

In the past, when teaching SpEd, I cannot tell you the number of parents who were convinced that because their child had been identified and made eligible for SpEd services, they honestly wanted to know how long it would take for me to "fix" the kid.



Some broke down and wept when I would patiently and gently explain that receiving SpEd services was not a "fix" or a cure, but would hopefully, and in some instances absolutely, provide positive learning experiences that would benefit them throughout their lives.

[Kerrytravelers]

36. OMG. I know that song. They want a fix- like their children need fixing.

A kid needs love and support. The mentality of fixing isn't supportive of the child.

I can understand the parents heartache, but by the time the child is sitting in my classroom, they need to be in touch with reality, for the sake of the child.

Oh, I could just go on and on and on.

[Midlodemocrat]

42. It's so hard for so many parents to accept.

LaraMN is exceptional in that she embraces Jack's uniqueness. I have had clients who were desperate to find out 'why' this happened and wouldn't listen to any sorts of recommendations for their child.

Needless to say, those particular kids will end up in the system someday, their parents failing them by not being able to see past their own sorrow.

[AnneD]

37. Rates right up there with the...

acupuncture to change the baby's sex.....

In your MIL's defense, they didn't really know genes and genetics until the last 20+ years ago.

[Oeditpus Rex]

38. Me: 'People who make such crass, unfounded judgements

are grossly insensitive and will not get a drumstick on Thanksgiving."

[Ellen Forradalom]

39. It's a pity she doesn't enjoy

Jack's gift for lending a touch of surrealism to everyday life.

[KamaAina]

43. What a complete and total

:dunce: :dunce: :dunce: :dunce: :dunce:

Sadly, quite a few people who aren't directly involved with disability are like that. :eyes:

[SOteric]

44. I guess it's getting easier to understand

why hubbyMN turned out to be a Republican.

[Pendrench]

46. I may have posted this before, but I saw this documentary awhile ago, it's one of my favorites.

http://www.teachingsofjon.com/index.html