At last week's meeting, a guy turned up with the "Guy Talk" flyer in his hand and said, "My girlfriend said I should come here." After going around the room and introducing ourselves, I asked the new guy what he wanted now that he was here with the rest of us.

 

"I just want to know how you guys deal with it."

 

One man said he meditates in the morning and that helps him stay calm throughout the day.

 

Another guy talked about going to a cigar lounge once a week and just hanging out.

 

One father mentioned how he and his wife are finally working together "on the same page" with their boy who has Asperger's.

 

Another father going through a divorce talked about how hard it had been, but he mentioned that his son's special needs were not the core of their marital problems.

 

Another guy whose son was diagnosed only a few months ago talked about how he has not been able to tell many people. He enjoys coming to this group where he can speak openly, and guys with similar experiences understand.

 

There was talk of the embarrassment that sometimes arises in public when a child with special needs acts strangely or is noticed because of poor hygiene.

 

In this environment where guys were being honest, one guy shared that he is in recovery from alcoholism. He revealed that he had spent years self-medicating and trying to escape his feelings.

 

Having a safe place to share their experiences brings men together to share how they are coping and give each other ideas. The guy who came because he was told to said he would be back.