Comments on: Bridgette Wilson-Sampras: New Parents Should 'Stay Connected'

By: Caring MOM

Caring MOM — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:06:35 +0000

As I read the article and responses I questioned as to how the comments were drawn from imagination.You have a beautiful women who is very private with her family life, doesn’t over expose their children to the press, lives a very normal life, and loves being a mother . She did over 30 films , her husband Pete and father to their beautiful and healthy boys, retired from a sport and he has gone down in history as a legend, before Christian even was walking.Both boys are extremely active and healthy physically and excell mentally as well. How refreshing to think that these boys are being raised to be there own person, and learn to make choices as to what they want to pursue in life and not labeled by what their parents did for a living. Something that should be made clear is neither child has a health issue,but their parents would be the first to explain that all children are equal and if there is a way that they can help a cause they are happy to do so.Compassion and education are important for those who deal with any kind of real health issues.To try and create something in an imaginative or negative way from one of the few photos printed is the exact reason to try and protect the most precious gift a parent has been given.Read the article again and you will hear a woman say she is willing to give up all else for her children,to explain things rather than just ignore a growing mind, they are her priority, in the process of learning to find balance, they as a family have found ways to create time for each other as husband and wife and parents.I would look to follow in their footsteps,not look for non-existent flaws. Congratulations on the efforts they have made to be successful parents.

By: Tara

Tara — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 19:16:27 +0000

I agree with Bonnie for the mere fact she is just saying that if you “feel” he looks like he is autistic, why should it have to be mentioned here in topic in regards to this article. Most are stating that we should be commenting on how it was great that
Bridgette and Pete finally found themselves as co-parents. I have 5 children and have man pics of them that one may think the same. Trying to get a child to focus on the camera, it is NOT an easy task!!! They were outside, so something may have distracted him from focusing on the fact he was “supposed” to pose with a big cheesy smile for a camera. Whether he is or is not, that is in fact between Bridgette and Pete. I agree with everyone here when “most” are saying, they are two handsome young little men and when they get older and much more focused, they are going to be well sought after!!! Kudos to Bridgette and Pete.

By: Christina

Christina — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:35:03 +0000

Bonnie, we’ll have to agree to disagree. My husband has Asperger’s (on the autism spectrum) and our oldest child is also on the autsim spectrum (our other children are not). I am intimately familiar with their challenges, and also with how society views and treats people with disabilities. I am not ashamed of either my husband our our child. To be honest, I don’t care one whit about labels. Society has a label for everyone, regardless of one’s status of disability. My years in disability advocacy has shown me that to be true. But, wondering if someone has a disability is not assigning a label to them. Big difference, IMO.

Honestly, I find the critical and judgemental comments people make about parents and children here to be more shameful than someone speculating about the possibility of special needs. The posters who wondered if he may have autism (and no one said he did) were not malicious. Can’t say the same about other posters who’ve made comments about a celebrity parent’s personal life or their parenting choices.

When you get down to it, it’s nobodies’ business to say anything about any of the photos here, is it? Posters feel free to criticize a child’s name, or speculate which celebrities are using IVF with donor eggs and who is too old to be a parent, who should “just adopt” instead of pursuing fertility treatments, and who is too young to be a good parent.. is it anyone’s business to make those claims based on a photo here?

By: bonnie

bonnie — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:35:16 +0000

the shame christina is.. that it is no bodies business to claim that a child is on the spectrum from a photo. if he was Bridgett and pete would deal with it. but no one has the right to make those assumptions or even start that conversation without having more details. I work with autistic kids all the time. I am sensitive to those needs. I just don’t think it is fair to begin labeling a child with out any info.

By: fuschia

fuschia — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 02:04:59 +0000

It is widely speculated that Suri Cruise is autistic. Again, mainly I have noticed by mothers of children with autistic children who notice the same expressions on Suri etc. While having no idea either way I have always looked to see shots of her interacting with her parents and to date have not seen one. Who knows?

What I do know is that Pete nad Bridgette have two cute kids!

By: christina

christina — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:49:31 +0000

Shame? Oh, good grief. There is nothing shameful about having a child on the autism spectrum, nor in wondering if another child is, as well. Mixed messages like that is one of the reasons why special needs children and adults in our society are treated the way they are.

FTR, many people here made comments about the Travolta’s late son Jett being on the spectrum, although his parents never acknowledged publicly, he was considered to have been autistic.

1 in 65 boys is on the autism spectrum, whether or not their parents are celebrities.

Why is it perectly acceptable on this site to criticize celebrities’ personal lives and parenting skills (Traci Lords and Jenna Jameson have received some choice comments as did Mayim Bialik) but it’s considered *shameful* to speculate that a child may have special needs?

By: Gigohead

Gigohead — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 01:16:45 +0000

I attended an after party for the Sampras/Federer showdown. She was there. She is very pretty in person and very friendly. She greeted our group. I’m happy to see that she and her family are doing well.

By: Joy

Joy — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 01:10:49 +0000

As a person who personally knows Pete and Bridgette, I can tell you that the article pointed out how difficult it is raising two active little boys and how important it is that Mom and Dad are on the same page. Christian does not have any medical problems. I have seen him laughing and having fun many times. Ryan is perhaps a little more active, but that is pretty normal for a little guy his age.

Pete has been a great help to Bridgette with the boys. Many articles about Pete note how much he enjoys being with Bridgette and the boys. Pete is back playing tennis which leaves a lot of the work with Bridgette. But most men who work during the day leave their wives with the kids all day. Bridgette is a wonderful caring person and Pete loves her very much.

By: bonnie

bonnie — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:43:42 +0000

OMG!!! that child is not on the spectrum! do you know how hard it is to take pictures. I know for a fact that is not true. You really should not comment on something like health like that without knowing facts. that is awful.. the boys were playing and had to be brought over to take pictures not the first thing on their agenda!!

shame on YOU!!!

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 23:04:10 +0000

Shame on me for discussing the possibility of special needs kids and their conditions? What in the world? Shame on YOU!