Dr Phil yesterday-Willi Prader Syndrome

[KirstenB]

Did anyone else see this? There was a mom and her 6 year old daughter. The daughter has Willi-Prader which means the part of her brain that signals to her body that it's full, doesn't work. The little girl was hungry all the time, so they had tried things like locking the fridge/cupboards, etc. According to Dr. Phil, these kids are mildly retarded, and often have problems with temper tantrums. The mom certainly wasn't perfect, but this child was a true handful. Dr. Phil was telling the mom she needed to get it together and be patient with this child, and control her own temper. I felt really sorry for the mom. I lose my own temper with my "normal" daughter, I can't imagine raising a child with this syndrome

They showed another family whose 24 year old had the same syndrome. Their daughter was asking people at a park for $$ to buy food. She also had a major tantrum when the ice cream truck drove by, and she didn't have $$ to buy ice cream. She got so mad, she took her shirt off, and threw it. It was like watching someone who weighs 250-300 lbs, but is still a toddler, emotionally. It brought me to tears, thinking about what it must be like to be her parents. The mom and sister were on the show, saying they just loved her as she was. They must be very strong and compassionate. I can't imagine the comments they've heard from strangers over the years. It was a real eye-opener.

 

[ElizaB39]

I didn't see this show, but I have seen others on this topic. It is really sobering to see. I am so thankful for my "normal" (my perception only of course) life.

 

[gr8tpanther]

Welcome to my world! That is my DD, tantrums about anything, anywhere! She doesn't have this particular syndrome, but she is just as bad. I have often thought about taking her to Dr. Phil, because I have tried EVERYTHING else, but I don't need to be ridiculed on public TV, I get that enough from society. I do it alone though, there is nobody else! Gets frustrating day in and day out!

 

[MosMom]

I don't think Dr. Phil blamed her for losing her temper...he was angry with her for verbally abusing her daughter. She would call her a fat *** and call her "f-ing stupid". That is unacceptable. Period.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I have not watched Dr Phil this season. The shows make me too upset these days.

I feel sorry for those children.

 

[MamaLema]

Even though the show made her out to be a bad mom, I felt so bad for her. That's so tough. She just seemed like she didn't get that her child really is a little different and it did seem like she got it at the end

 

[dennis99ss]

I didn't see it, but, there are a handful of people on this board that have children with Prader-Willi. I have a nephew with it. It is a genetic problem, where a pieces parts is missing from one of the chromosones. There are different levels of the syndrome, but I think they all experience the eating. They can eat forever, and have no mechanism to tell them they are full. As a result, diet is very important, etc. They have breathing problems, ear nose throat problems, etc. They also have some autistic tendancies.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I saw the show and it made me so incredibly sad.

I think that the Mom was just not educated enough on the condition her daughter has. I hope now that she gets the education, support and help she needs to be the best Mom she can be. Her daughter certainly needs it.

 

[KirstenB]

Gr8t Panther I'm not excusing the mom for her own temper, but I can really see myself losing it with a difficult child. I've seen you post about your daughter before---God bless you, you're a strong Mom.

Sometimes Dr. Phil gets to me. 1. Both of his own kids are "normal". I can't imagine dealing with a difficult child 24/7.

2. Of course it's a tv show, so everything is going to be highly dramatized. You could see this mom loved her child, she was just completely in over her head.

 

[RachelEllen]

That show made me so, so sad. Watching the 24 year old scream for the ice cream truck. You could just see how distressed she was. How awful to have to know your child is so hungry they are suffering and you can't give them any food.