Dana,
My 10 year old has a diagnosis of ADHD. I have found that from
Kendergarten to about 2nd or 3rd grade the children seem to be a little
more willing to accept someone who is different. By 4th grade, however,
children are cruel to those who do not conform, this has been detrimental
to his self-esteem.
I am an active advocate for my children, especially in the areas of ADHD
and CP. However, I realize that any gains I am making with society will
benefit future generations, but not necessarily my children. I hope to
continue to be an advocate and teach my children that they are also
advocates. I feel it is vitally important to provide my children with
strong, positive self-esteems by being with them when they encounter
negative responses from the public. I have found that by sending them away
to school for 6-8 hours a day I have lost that chance (dealing with
something hours after it happened is not as effective).
Thanks for validating my feelings.
Kim
At 07:12 PM 5/17/1999 -0700, you wrote:
>My experiences as a child with CP are YEARS ago as I'm turning 35 this
>July. I can tell you tho that kids in elementary school were cruel, pushing
>me so'd I fall, and putting tacks in my chair, and calling me "retard". I
>do not know if kids of today are any different, but I'd doubt it. I was on
>the bus recently where a teenager said he uses a wheelchair just to get
>free bus fare because the drivers never ask those in wheelchairs to pay
>(they do, but rarely).
>
>Dana and Gillis, The Wonder Doberman
>[log in to unmask]
>http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Styx/5326
>
>*********** REPLY SEPARATOR ***********
>
>On 5/17/99, at 9:08 PM, Barry Ashby wrote:
>
>>Hi All,
>>
>>We have recently joined this list and I have not yet introduced us. I am
>>the mother of a 4 yo with Athetoid CP. He has been on oral Baclofen since
>>summer which has helped a lot. He is non-verbal and is learning to use a
>>Dynavox Communication device. He has difficulty with balance, combined
>>with tight joints, means he is not walking. We just got a motorized WC in
>
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