Same here, Kyle.  I refuse to give in to CP and will keep going as best as I can, for as long as I can.  I'm not ready for the rocking chair yet!

Yesterday I met a remarkable 64-year old woman who's even smaller than I - I'm 5'0" and weigh 110 lbs - she's under five feet and looked as if a breeze could blow her away.  However she wrassled my wheelchair into her trunk and breezed us to Raleigh without a stop!  And even more remarkably, she has recovered almost fully from severe head injuries sustained in a car accident three years ago.  Her only remaning problem is an inability to read very long as she can't concentrate on the written word for long periods of time, and so she now listens to books on tapes. An inspiration for sure!

Kat

-------Original Message-------
From: "Cleveland, Kyle E." <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: 04/14/03 01:06 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Speculation About An Aspect of Aging with CP

>
> One issue that crops up for me is that spouse, family and AB friends don't
understand the "progressive" nature of the secondary symptoms--and
sometimes
they don't want to.  They've understood CP to be "static", so frustration
abounds when your abilities, which might have been greater that the other
individuals' at one time, are slipping behind theirs.

Unlike Cherie, I'll never be satisfied knowing that I can't do what the
"average" guy my age can physically do.  Not really sure that I want to be
satisfied either.

Kyle

-----Original Message-----
From: Cherie Clark [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, April 14, 2003 12:36 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Speculation About An Aspect of Aging with CP

When I talk to my doc's, I tell them that "AGING WITH CP" is similar to
Post
Polio Syndrome.   The doc's seem to understand that phenomenon.

I started experiencing the "progressive" part of my CP at age 40 (muscle
spasms, spasticity, balance problems, pain in the muscles & joints,
bladder
problems, decreased mobility, etc.).   I really  thought I had MS, too.
Now at age 52, I am more settled into the fact that I can't do what I use
to
do.   I've geared my whole life around what I can do.   And, I like the
new
me!!!   I do wonder what I'll be like at age 60, 70, 80 and 90!!!

Cherie from Iowa
[log in to unmask]

We must scrupulously guard the civil rights and civil liberties of all
citizens, whatever their background.   We must remember that any
oppression,
any injustice, any hatred, is a wedge designed to attack our civilization.
            Franklin D. Roosevelt
>