Dear Annie: There is still another reason why a special caregiver may not be able to contribute to voluntere extra help for their special needs child. It's a lack of extra money it takes to do such voluntere work.

It also concernes me when I heard about about him walking around the backyard talking to himself.
I did the same thing in very early grade school
and the first year of two of junior high as well. I obsevred usually at least one other child who did. I saw how the normal children left them alone as well. And i had absolutetly no desire to relate to that child either.
I was able to get control over it in later junior high and remained in control until my whole world crashed and brought me down to the lowest pit imaginable at the age of 50. I learned that there is a test that can establish this for certain. There is at least a slight a chance that early intervention with a prescription preventative
could prevent this from happening. This is something they should seriously check into.

This man and his formerly abused girlfriend have a child together and they haven't reported this guy to the authorities? I guess we'll just have to hope that child never visits Grandpa alone!

The first thing that jumped out at me is that the couple now has a child of their own and they should be worried about the stepfather molesting this newest generation!

Thhe first thing that jumped out at me is that he's been with this gal for a long time and they have a child. Why hasn't he married her? Is she not good enough? Maybe if she felt valued and supported, she's be confident enough to stand up for herself. Do the right thing. Commit or leave and stop criticizing her reaction to something you've never had to face.

Kudos to you for taking your personal adversity and channeling into sympathy for others. If only more people could be like that the world would be a better place.

This man needs to be reported by somebody in order to protect other children from him. Take action and deal with family fallout, if you feel strongly enough about it.

Lonely, please Google the phrase "asperger's disorder". If it sounds like you, tell your parents to have you evaluated by a specialist. If it turns out that this is your issue and you receive an official diagnosis, you will have all of the help you need and a better understanding of your own behavior.
Being "normal" ain't all it's cracked up to be.:)

Well, here's how I feel. If a spouse contracts an STD from his or her spouse due to adultery, then the person who caught the STD is an innocent victim. However, if a person is promiscuous or is irresponsible, then I have no sympathy. Good grief, AIDS reared its ugly head a couple of decades ago. We've had syphyllis, VD, gonorreah and others for centuries. We've had herpes for how long?

We all know to protect ourselves. Those of us from a bygone era know to develop a relationship before hitting the sheets. I have no sympathy for people who do not act responsibly or who have sex at the drop of a hat without protection. We used to worry about pregnancy but since it has become acceptable to murder "inconvenient" babies in the womb, protection has become an "option".

Sorry - no sympathy except for those who are truly unsuspecting victims in a commited married relationship.

PUT THAT CHILD MOLESTER IN PRISON!!!!

First of all let me state that I am so sick of people, society, looking at a person with STD's as a "dirty person". The person with the disease did not create the disease, did not want the disease and did not know the other person had the disease. Otherwise the person that didn't have the disease would've insisted on a condom or would not have had sex with the person with the disease in the first place!!! I would not have knowingly slept with a person with a disease. Would any of you?

Some of us come out of our shell later than 14 years old. You will come out naturally when you're ready. You're only 14. At that age friends come and go. To make friends, just start speaking to people at school, that's all. Or join an activity at school. Friends are easy to make. Ask your parents if you can have a slumber party every Friday with the friends you have, make it wicked fun, the word will get around school, and other kids will start talking to you. My friends and I have slumber parties and we're in our 30's and 40's. We have a blast. There's no alcohol involved either. It's just great fun. We talk, laugh, have snacks, soda, a movie is on (we pause the movie when we get to laughing and talking), we're all in our pj's with sleeping bags, pillows and my dog. You could do fingernail polishing, toenail polishing, arts and crafts, games, play cards, bake, charades, sand art, make beaded bracelets, ask an adult that knows how to crochet or knit to come teach you, crossstitch,make latch-hook rugs, buy beads and put them on your clothes or embroider on your clothes. There are all kinds of things to do to make friends. YOU just have to get it started. You can do it.

I contracted genital warts from my current boyfriend. He had no idea he was a carrier of the virus. After one outbreak, I have been wart-free for 4 years. I still carry the virus, but am diligent about getting screened for cervical cancer. HPV is widespread, but taking a few precautions can go a long way.

Please, Please, Please DO NOT ever leave your child alone with the stepfather. If he did it to your GF he will do it to your child. Above ALL else it is your responsiblity to protect your child.

Please make sure that you continue screening for cervical cancer! HPV can lead to cervical cancer, and early detection is so important!

As an aside: I see that Sandra is now Kelly. The other day, she was Maryanne and Millicent.

Concerned: it is entirely possible that your GF wants to move on with her life and put her past behind. This is her issue and it is her choice as to how to deal with it. I can understand your feelings but let her deal with her past as she wishes and don't keep bringing it up - you're most likely opening the wound repeatedly. You've made your feeling known to her and now it is time to let it go and allow her to get on with her life.

Mending - your mother did the right thing to phone the physician and learn what she needed to do about your serious disease. Your hurt feelings are not priority number 1--preventing the spread of the disease is. Instead of being glad your mother's fears were unfounded, you are angry with her for having them. STD's are extremely serious--even in this day of miraculous cures. Don't let anyone try to convince you it's no big deal, and don't you try to convince the rest of us of that either.

Concerned - never allow your child to be alone with the man, and don't allow your wife to make decisions about such things.

The seriousness of std's is downplayed too much. Many are too cavalier and ignorant about those diseases. HIV is a slow death sentence, but certain sports stars and rockers try to make it look like a badge of honor. Same with Hepatitis C.

Carelessness is at the core of contracting such illnesses. Some call it a "mistake," but it's just plain carelessness and no foresight.