my parents were supportive of me, but, never pushed me to do more than i
thought i could do. looking back, i had the best parents for a kid with a
disability to have. i wonder how they were so very wise in something they
were facing for the first time and with little if any support from anywhere
else.

-----Original Message-----
From: Cleveland, Kyle E. [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, March 07, 2002 1:43 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: kyle's varied past


Unfortunately, there wasn't any "bs"-ing.  Everything I said I did--I really
did.  The problem was my selfish attitude.  I think it stemmed from some
sort of weird reverse self-pity and the need to be the center of attention.
I still struggle with it.  My self-esteem in high school (like a lot of us)
was pretty low, especially when it came to girls.  I tried so hard to be
anything but me, and, to my shame, I succeeded.  I wonder how many disabled
kids (both genders) kill themselves trying to be "cool" and the best at
whatever they set out to do?  When I look back, I see my family as
supportive of the things I wanted to accomplish, but I wonder now if they
felt like they needed to push me harder than my brother.  My parents still
think it's neat that I did all this stuff, but I'm not sure they ever think
about the cost.  Even worse, they probably still think a lot of that
over-reaching was worth it.  Were your parents that way?

Brent sounds like he had a similar background.  What's your read, Brent?
Bobby?  Kat?

-----Original Message-----
From: Barber, Kenneth L. [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, March 07, 2002 1:30 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: kyle's varied past


okay i did follow that with the question of the color of your shoes, to
indicate a cirtain amount of bs-ing was going on, butseriously you are right
on. don't be too hard on yourself, lots of people never get it, ever! you
have gotten it now.