Mary,

I didn't have a normal childhood.  My parents put me in a special school some 10 hours away from them, because the public schools at that time were not equipped to educate children with profound disabilities.  I stayed there for 11 years.  They then put me in another special school 2 days drive from them, where I stayed 4 years, and got my secondary education.  I knew my parents, but I didn't know them either, so it a real eye-opener for me to come back home to live.   i went to college my first year out at a ccommunity college near my home, then transferred to a small college in Rocky Mount, NC.   My parent were a little too supportive of me, and tried to shield as much of the bad from me as they could.   I wish they hadn't given me an unrealistic  goal for my life. 

---- Original message ----
>Date: Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:16:14 -0400
>From: Mary Powers <[log in to unmask]>  
>Subject: what were your childhoods like?  
>To: [log in to unmask]
>
>Hello,
>
>I hope this is on topic, if not please let me know.
>
>I find it hard to describe to people what my childhood was like.? how my parents were afraid for me, b/c I was premature, and also how they really couldn't deal with the impairments I had.
>
>it was very stressful for me, but in a way that is difficult for me to explain.? the fear, the restrictiveness, and also the limitations, but then my having to try to prove myself as 'normal' or at least fake it.
>
>I have mild CP but I also have vision and vestibular issues, and something like epilepsy.? some brain problem that caused something like mild seizures.? I don't understand it so I can't explain it very well.
>
>one thing I heard is that children with disabilities, often parents set their expectations either too high or too low.? mine set them too high.? I had to achieve in school and fake normal and not quit or - 
>
>walking was very hard but they had trouble if I walked "funny."
>
>they meant well, my parents, this is not to blame them, but I have a hard time describing what it was like.? b/c my parents had a lot of fear as well.
>
>it was a combination of
>
>'do for yourself.? we can't help you'
>
>and
>
>'the world is a dangerous place.'
>
>it was very confusing.
>
>does this sound familiar to anyone?
>
>
>thanks
>
>
>Mary Katherine
>
>? 
>
>
>
> 
>
>
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