When a child of any age is diagnosed with a chronic condition, the parents are affected deeply. Most parents from the time of pregnancy have dreams for their child. For some parents, an illness means a loss of a dream. They may experience feelings of shock, disbelief, fear, anger, depression and guilt. The family's standard and style of living may be affected significantly, as well as every relationship in the family.
Parents frequently experience a period of shock and denial.
This can be helpful as a protective mechanism until they're ready to absorb more information. This may be followed by a period of guilt where they might feel that they should have sought help sooner or more aggressively. Anger might be next as the parents become aware of a feeling of helplessness and loss of control over their own child's life. A life which may be taken over by painful or intrusive investigations, strangers asking questions, and, if hospitalized, unfamiliar policies, routines and loss of privacy. Anger can be a positive force because it motivates people to action.