coachmolly
Coach
This question is primarily for parents, but I don't have access to the Parent forum so I'm putting it here, though feedback from coaches with similar experiences would also be appreciated. I don't imagine many of you would have had an experience exactly like this, so it's more of a, should you find yourself in this situation, what would you want?
So the situation: A parent speaks with you about symptoms the child has that are indicative of a chronic illness- a condition the coach (in this case, me) was diagnosed with at approximately the same age as the child. Do you want the coach to disclose that info to you privately- not for the purpose of helping to diagnose or offer medical advice- but just to assure that you do indeed understand the child and the symptoms at hand and are 100% on their team? Or would you prefer that coach not bring it up again?
My professional teachings have taught me not to disclose personal details in a professional setting (though I think coaching does fall into a bit of a different category), but at the same time I remember the teacher I had at the time of my diagnosis disclosed he had a sister with the same condition and was a great source of support to our family. It's not a fact I disclose often, not because of shame, but because I don't want it to define who I am.
I'm also a chronic overthinker, so I'm sure the answer to this question seems like a no-brainer to most of you, but I've been stewing about this for a while and decided the parents here would be a good sounding board. I know the details are vague, but this is the internet.
So the situation: A parent speaks with you about symptoms the child has that are indicative of a chronic illness- a condition the coach (in this case, me) was diagnosed with at approximately the same age as the child. Do you want the coach to disclose that info to you privately- not for the purpose of helping to diagnose or offer medical advice- but just to assure that you do indeed understand the child and the symptoms at hand and are 100% on their team? Or would you prefer that coach not bring it up again?
My professional teachings have taught me not to disclose personal details in a professional setting (though I think coaching does fall into a bit of a different category), but at the same time I remember the teacher I had at the time of my diagnosis disclosed he had a sister with the same condition and was a great source of support to our family. It's not a fact I disclose often, not because of shame, but because I don't want it to define who I am.
I'm also a chronic overthinker, so I'm sure the answer to this question seems like a no-brainer to most of you, but I've been stewing about this for a while and decided the parents here would be a good sounding board. I know the details are vague, but this is the internet.