Annual meeting.

It was kind of creepy. The 22q11 society had their annual meeting. It felt unreal.

One of the lecturing rooms in Queen Silvias Childrens Hospital had been put in order for the meeting, there were coffee and sandwiches, fruit and buns. All as nice as can be. But I felt like a UFO.

This is a small society run by a number of enthusiasts, with relatively small funds. After having gone through the obligatory paragraphs of an annual meeting, like elections for various posts, the chairman’s report, economic matters and such, it was time for the information part and the questions. And this was when I started feeling awkward.

I think I was the only one there with a child as young as Abbe. The questions brought up felt extremely far fetched. And unreal. I mean, Abbe’s not like their children, is he? My little piglet wont be facing difficulties like those, will he? No, this must be wrong.

During the break I just stood there listening to the others talking. They all seemed to know each other. With a sandwich in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other I stood – numb – listening to discussions about special schools, children asking questions on why they’re different, ADHD, Autism, you name it. It all melted in my head and formed one giant lump. A not so pleasant one.

Afterwards I talked to Solveig (the 22q11-guru) who had also attended the meeting. I told her I had trouble relating to the whole thing. She answered “Of course you do. Just take one day at a time. I think you’re brave for showing up here today.”

I’ll drink to that.