Hi, Mary, I'm Kat, one of the list mods.
I think our experiences are varied and depend on our parents' viewpoints of
life in general and how they perceive us in the scheme of things. May I ask
how old you are?
In my case, my parents pretty much let me do what I wanted to (that is, they
didn't try to restrict me from doing anything that abled-bodied kids did).
I was expected to do my share of the chores, do well in school and be as
"normal" as possible. Of course it helped that my CP was mild and I didn't
have vision problems; I do have an hearing impairment but that didn't get
bad enough to restrict my ability to interact with other people until about
10 years ago.
Of course in trying to keep up with everyone else, I overdid it and wore out
my body so I am now in a wheelchair but I work fulltime and drive my own
car with hand controls and a wheelchair lift, so I'm pretty independent. Who
do I have to thank for this? My parents and I am grateful to them; I just
wish they were still here so I can tell them. They let me fight my own
battles and deal with the consequences, which is the best legacy any parent
can give a child.
Kat
-----Original Message-----
From: Cerebral Palsy List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Mary Powers
Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2008 9:16 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: what were your childhoods like?
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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