My son Charlie has been social distancing for months. Well, maybe even years, really.
He is 18, almost 19 and he has been very sick for months.
Charlie has struggled with gastrointestinal problems and it has been brutal for him. He has been nauseated nearly everyday since the first week of February. Since then, he hasn’t gone out much because he hasn’t felt well. He has been to so many doctors to figure out what is going on and to try and give him relief. He has had IV’s, urine tests, blood tests, cat scans, an endoscopy, and so many more tests. He has stayed home simply because he hasn’t felt well.
Then came COVID-19. The county, then the State of Florida told us to stay home.
Schools are closed and students are learning remotely. They all said stay home.
Charlie stayed home.
He already was dealing with social anxiety all his life. He would beg me at times not to go anywhere. For years, he did not want to go out much in public. He would cry when he had to work on going to stores with his therapist and talk with others when he was younger. The last few years he has made tremendous progress. He will still grumble about going places, but once he is out, then he is more positive and enjoying himself at times.
Then this.
School told us last week “it is mandatory to stay at home for the rest of the year.” He doesn’t even have to go to school now. He has been out already for over a month and now it will be another month.
So he stays inside, and guess what is happening? Charlie is getting more and more comfortable staying inside, not wanting to go anywhere outside of the home, not even biking like he used to do with me. He gets increased bouts of nausea and burping once he steps outside, even going to the doctor.
He is afraid.
He is afraid he will get sick again. He is afraid he will feel more sick. He is afraid to talk with anyone, scared he will get the virus, too.
For so many of our kids, they are more comfortable not socializing. So this makes them very happy, not having to go anyplace. For others, this could be some of the biggest changes in routine they have had in a long time, really a lack of routine like they are used to having. They may not be able to go to their favorite parks. Some of them don’t like changes in their environments and weekly plans.
I am concerned, as our social distancing goes on for months, this will be a difficult transition back to socializing with more people, besides in the comfort of our own homes. They won’t want to leave our homes. They may be afraid. They may be anxious. They may even be nervous.
Source: Special Needs Parenting- Key Ministry
