Complaints, circa April 2022
My family has covid. At this point, it’s probably more surprising we made it this long without contracting the virus, but it still sucks. We started feeling a bit unwell on Sunday and tested positive on Monday. Thankfully we’re all fully vaccinated and our symptoms are relatively mild.
Then the real storm it. Literally.
In Manitoba, we just had the worst blizzard we’ve seen in 25 years. If you’re in Canada, you likely read about it in the news.
We expected anywhere from 30 to 80 cm of snow, which would be between one and 2.5 feet, in addition to high winds. We live on the prairies, meaning lots of open areas. Add in high winds causing blowing snow, that amounts to zero visibility and very dangerous driving conditions.
For the first time in a quarter century, much of the province shut down in anticipation. Schools were closed, residents were advised to prepare for the “storm of the century”. Our province issued an alert, and emergency preparedness lists circulated online.
What does this have to do with sensory overload?
My son and I are both neurodivergent. When you’re sick, meds are less effective. By day 3 of isolation, my son was bouncing off the walls — both literally and figuratively.
I am self-employed and my son usually attends school full-time. For about 7 hours per day, I work mostly by myself. If I have meetings with clients, I have the luxury of scheduling time in between to recharge.
We’re now on day six and none of us have left the house, but I think I left my sanity back at day 4.
I love my son. We are alike in so many ways — so many ways — but we are different in a very important way. He is primarily a sensory-seeker and I am primarily a sensory-avoider.
This means he likes to make noise, move constantly, touch everything and everyone, and generally do All Of The Things.
My husband, who is usually a quiet guy in a group setting — and usually goes to work 5 days a week— never stops talking at home. He processes things out loud, talks to me about every minute detail, and is also the touchy-feely sort.
I love my boys, but I find this very overwhelming very quickly.
Sensory processing differences
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