i think so. but, what kind of expert am i?

-----Original Message-----
From: Perk [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Friday, December 10, 1999 9:53 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Talking to kids about disabilities


They were being well intended.  Yes , they are older people.  Does Cerebral
Palsy get worse?  does a person's body with CP wear out quicker?





----- Original Message -----
From: Barber, Kenneth L. <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 1999 8:22 AM
Subject: Re: Talking to kids about disabilities


> they are probably just well  intended, but iqnorant. are they older
> individuals?  the old thought was that cp never got worse and that the
> undamage brain cells would pick up some of the function.  reality is as we
> age we see that our bodies are wearing out quicker.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Perk [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Thursday, December 09, 1999 9:09 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Talking to kids about disabilities
>
>
> I would like to turn the focus on this message on adults. . .  I ran in to
> two adults that told me everyday for fifteen years that I could walk and
get
> over Cerebral Palsy later in my life.  (They are sisters.) They claimed
they
> loved me.
>
> Kathy
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Elaine Taylor <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 1999 8:00 AM
> Subject: Re: Talking to kids about disabilities
>
>
> > When kids are young, usually under 8, and they are staring at my kids, I
> try
> > to draw them into a conversation about the power chair and show how
"cool"
> it
> > is that Alex and Briana can drive it themselves just like the powerwheel
> cars
> > that kids use.  However, when kids look old enough to understand and
just
> > stare, I have instructed Briana to ask them "Do you have a problem or
What
> > are you looking at?"
> >
> > It may not be very nice, but I am very tired of people staring at my
kids.
> > She did it once to a kid in ShopRite and he sort of stuttered "ah, ah,
> > nothing," he was old enough to know better, and hopefully, he won't do
it
> > again.  I will not have people staring at my kids like their freaks!
> >
> > The other thing I am extremely tired of is adults looking at them in
pity
> and
> > patting them on the head.  Their not dogs for heaven's sake.  Or, oh,
God
> > Bless you (he already has, they just don't know it), I don't know how
you
> do
> > it.  It may be a well intended statement, but quite honestly, I'm tired
of
> it.
> >
> > Elaine
> >
>