Dear Abby: Disabled daughter likely being manipulated and exploited online
In a recent letter to Dear Abby, a concerned mother from New Hampshire writes that she discovered her 29-year-old daughter, who has a learning disability and lives at home, is sending nude photos to a man she met online named "Jameson." The mother previously found that her daughter had given thousands of dollars to an "admirer" who claimed he needed money for his family. The daughter showed texts where the man called her beautiful and suggested they meet someday.
The mother informed her husband about the nude photos, but he declined to discuss it with their daughter, citing a need to respect her privacy. The mother feels lost and unsure how to proceed, especially since her daughter has few friends and spends much time on her phone and laptop.
Abby advises the mother to start by helping her daughter help herself. She recommends reaching out to The Arc of the United States (thearc.org), an organization that offers advocacy and education for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Its website provides links to digital literacy courses from AT&T, which can help the daughter understand internet dangers and recognize Jameson for who he truly is.
Another resource is the National Disability Rights Network (ndrn.org), where experts can advise on disability-related topics. Abby wishes the family well as they take steps to protect the daughter.
Second letter: Son controlled by wife, cut off from family
In a second letter, a devastated parent from California writes that their 35-year-old son, an engineer, bought a house near them with their help. He later married a woman the parent describes as difficult, selfish, and demanding. The couple now has a baby, but the wife has forbidden the son from talking to or visiting his parents or siblings, claiming they give her anxiety. The parent finds this hard to believe since they rarely see her. The son has also stopped reaching out to his brother and sister, and the family is being torn apart.
Abby responds that nothing can be done to change the situation; the son has chosen his controlling wife. She advises the parent to focus on their other children and live as pleasantly and cohesively as possible, always leaving the door open for reconciliation but not counting on it.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren (Jeanne Phillips) and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
