> I can't say how many times (and he's only 3 years old) that I have already
=
> heard from people who meet Anthony "Oh, but he'll outgrow it (CP)" or "But
=
> he will walk some day" or "Isn't it a shame he can't play like other =
> children". I used to grit my teeth or come back with a caustic remark. Now
=
> I just smile and let them know that I am happy with how he is and wouldn't
=
> want him to be other than the wonderful little boy he is. Most people look
=
> at me with a mixture of shock (that I wouldn't want my son to be "normal")
=
> or pity ("poor thing must be in denial"). Then the typical response is " =
> But he's so cute..." like it's a shame for him to be cute AND
handicapped..=
> . URGHHH. Most people just don't get it (including my Mom).


When Alex was younger and still in a regular stroller I really didn't much
reaction from people. Once he was independantly mobile in his WC ( rather
than dependant on me to push him in his stroller) people started to give us
those pity looks. It didn't make sense to me why independance over
depencancy was pitied but it was. I have found that MY attitude towards Alex
affects others attitude towards him. I treat his WC as his feet. A normal
toddler/preschooler will wander from mom ( he's already escaped from a
public restroom while I needed to use the toilet. Those push buttons that
make doors open can be a BAD thing at times!!!!!!). He got scolded for
escaping and people walking by just grinned...a normal kid after all. A
toddler/preschooler likes to be carried at times. With the WC I just walk
beside Alex holding hands as I more or less pull him along. We talk and
laugh and other parent kid things. My attitude tells others how to act
towards him although I'm not above giving my mother arch eyebrow to anyone
who is slow picking up the message.
Joanne