Well, Kathy, yeah, I have come to accept myself as I am.  I kinda think it's
the part of maturing and learning to make compromises with life.  I don't
mean give up what you devoutly believe in, but make yourself more
comfortable with who you are, and how you perceive yourself.  I think if you
see yourself as others see you, you're not accepting yourself.  It took me a
long time to get to where I am  now; just doing what I think is right for ME
and not letting others make me feel like a freak or unloved, etc.

When I was in  college and  grad school, I tried to be as "normal" as
possible, which meant "able-bodied."  In doing so, I put a lot of abnormal
wear and tear on my body, which I'm paying for now in terms of arthritis,
increased spasticity, pain and fatigue.  However my mind is as good as ever,
so I refuse to let that go to waste.  I now feel as long as you can use your
mind, you can survive anything.

Let me add, that I also think  that this acceptance process is a part of
everyone's life, not just disabled people's.

        Hope this gives you some sense of what I'm trying to say.  :-)

            Kathy S.

----- Original Message -----
From: "kjpink" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2001 10:20 AM
Subject: Re: SCIENTIFIC FRONTIERS & CHRIS REEVE


> Kathy S.,
>
> Thanks for telling me that you had a hard time accepting your disabilities
,
> too.  Have you ever accepted that?  Is it common for people with
> disabilities to have problems with acceptance?
>
> Kathy P.
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "K. Salkin" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Friday, March 30, 2001 2:31 PM
> Subject: Re: SCIENTIFIC FRONTIERS & CHRIS REEVE
>
>
> > Kathy,
> >
> > I, too, had a hard time accepting my disabilities when I was younger.
But
> now, at the age of 48, I am more comfortable with myself and am accepting
of
> myself as I am.  It takes patience and work, but give it time.
> >
> >                      Kathy S.
> >
> >
> > "St. John's University Cerebral Palsy List"
> <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> > > I'm trying to accept my disabilities.  At times , it is really hard.
> Kathy
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Asdis Jenna"
> > To:
> > Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2001 5:04 PM
> > Subject: Re: SCIENTIFIC FRONTIERS & CHRIS REEVE
> >
> >
> > > I'm not trying to "fix" my disabilities, I accept my disabilities .
The
> > > implants are tools like wheelchairs or walkers . I use the implants to
> > make
> > > my life and  communication with people easier.
> > > Easy does it!
> > > Asdis.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > > >  for people like me and you. I >>
> > > >I think the new technology that's popping up is great... however
(y'all
> > knew
> > > >that one was coming)  However, I have spent my whole life the way I
am
> > now...
> > > >and in the process of getting older, I have learned to come to peace
w/
> > who
> > > >and what God made me to be!  I love the things that make my everyday
> > living
> > > >easier (adaptive equipment and such).. but I do prefer to keep my
> > distances
> > > >from brain implants!  I do admire such on the basis of saving
> lives..but
> > not
> > > >to "improve" the quality of life..
> > > >I will not and do not judge those who decide to go through those
> > > >proceedures.. but I deeply feel that happiness comes through
something
> > much
> > > >deeper
> > > >Jennifer
> > >
> > > Asdis Jenna and the wonderful cat Agatha Mist.
> > > Seltjarnarnesi
> > > Iceland
> > > [log in to unmask]
> > > "Accept me for what I am and I'll accept you for what you're accepted
> as."
> > > Christopher Nolan.
> > >
> >