How to approach an emotional subject with my teen?
Our live-at-home 14 year old brother/brother in law has a T6 spinal injury.He has been using his wheelchair since he was seven years old and, from our perspective and the people who surround him, he is very independent and well adjusted.
He has always been a solemn young man but we (my husband and I) have good communication with him and he also has a few friends to confide in. Last night my husband, without any intention,overheard a phone conversation where he said girls would never be attracted to him because he has a disability and that if anyone accepted to go out with him it would be out of pity.
My husband and I would like to talk to him about this feelings.I think they are very normal but there must be a way we can help him see the brighter side.He is after all a good looking boy and though we cannot promise him romance I don’t think this is a fair assessment of who he is. A year ago we suggested to include him in a support group for people with spinal injuries and he was completely opposed to the idea. He made it clear to us that he has his own friends and doesn’t like groups for “pity parties”. Try to get a teenager to change that position. Unfortunately we do not know other people in a similar situation to his whom he could approach.
How can we talk to him without making him overly uncomfortable? what are the things we should absolutely not say? Should my husband do this on his own or should I help bring in the woman’s perspective?
Tags: Friends, Phone Conversation, Support Group