Hi-

I never minded being pulled out when I was in elementry school.  I didn't
really think about the long term aspects of it and I had the most friends
when I was in Elementry school--but then again I was only pulled out for
30-45 min 3 times a week...not as some are 3 or 5 or even 10 hours mutiple
times per week when you add in privet therapy. And I am more concerned about
the impact this has long term on againg and secondarly on the impact it has
on education and friends.

 I do think that OT has helped me more in the long run then the PT did
becasue OT allowed me to do more everyday things. But as I have gotten older
and had more helth problems I have developed a werrines of PT...PT is grate
as long as you don't over do it (spending most of the time in PT is overdoing
it--depending on the type of PT).  When I started to mind it was around 6th
grade when the acadimics stepped up and there was more to do.  Then PT got in
the way of things.

Don't get me wrong I am not critizing my parents they did a grate job.  And I
am not trying to critize the parents on the list even though sometimes it may
seem like that.  Parents of kids with CP have a very tough job.  As for my
parents they had a very balanced attitude in that like all you parents they
wanted to do as much as they could to make my life as best as possible...what
parent dosen;t want that.  They also respected me and my ability to know
things about my disability that they could not know.  And sure in my early
years I wanted to just "take a pill" or have a surgry and be able to run
normally and do all the other stuff you do in elementry school and not have
CP.  But by the time I was in 6th grade (and I know to some of you that seems
like it's a long way off) I would not trade being disabled for the world
becase I relized all that I could offer intulectually--and I relized the
understanding that I could have of people because of having CP.  Now my
parents were always trying to stand evenly as I put all my weight on my right
side--I always have---but eventually after about ten years they relized that
that was just my norm--something I had been trying to tell them all along.
And then they wern always trying to correct the "problem".  It was more a
problem for them then it ever was for me.  I think I am perfectly normal and
that is what counts.

Anee

In a message dated 9/18/1999 10:13:37 AM Central Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

<< e: Do you think this affected your ability to make friends?

         Amber: What that got to do with making friends? Either you can
 make
 friends or you can't.

         Me: Did you resent the being pulled out of class by the Special
 teacher.

         Amber: No, it was perfectly fine. The lady helped her.

         Me: How do you feel about handicapped.

         Amber: It sucks butt!! It means she drags her foot and trips.
 That's
 embrassing!! Her hand does funny stuff and she gets tired. She wishes it
 was
 different but accepts it. >>