Trish,

Excuse me, but just how do you know someone has CP?  I realise you see
something like awkwardness in gait and spasticity and see CP, but there are
other things going on you may not be aware of.  I have CP but I don't assume
someone else has just because he or she looks like they do.  It could have
been a stroke or menningitis, or an isolated case of polio; you don't know.

Kat


On Tue, 16 Jul 2002 16:31:50 -0400 Trisha Cummings <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Kyle,

   I think your website is a great idea.

   Don't let the "little" folks get you down.

   One thing to think about is not everyone with CP knows they have CP - I
ran into a man in the McDonalds by my house - he was standing just like
Amber and stubled and I grabbed him before he hit the floor - and he said I
am disabled - and I said yes I know - you have CP - he said no I have brain
damage since I was a baby. and so on ( he is Hemi- like Amber). And Jonathan
who goes to school with Amber (also a Hemi like Amber)  - and he has a bad
knee - But Amber, and I and her special ed teacher know its CP. It think
denial and perhaps like with Amber - rthey never said the word - I read it
in a book - leads people to not know they have CP - just that they are
disabled. I was a premie, had braces and special shoes when I was little -
and to date still have this walk funny - right foot points out to the right
at 45 degree angle, the attached knee angles off to the left, and the hip
joint pops so bad sometimes - it hurts and feels like its coming apart. Who
knows what you call that - I call it darned awkward.

   Go for your website - when you change your name from Kyle Cleveland to
Cerebral Palsy Man - then maybe your are taking things to seriously - in the
mean time you are doing a great thing to help others.

                              Brightest Blessings - Trisha




>  Sign me up for the survey, Bobby.
>
> I met with an old friend for breakfast yesterday (old in the sense that
> we've known each other for a long time, but we still talk at least a
> couple
> times a week).  I was telling him about the web page idea.  Could not
> believe his response.  Something along the lines of, "Well, you know, you
> have to be careful not to invest too much time into something like this.
> It
> could take away from your family time.  Also, I would hate to see you
> start
> taking your 'identity' from your disability."
>
> It's amazing how people are so quick to pour cold water on other's
> excitement and so slow to encourage.
>
> -Kyle
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: BG Greer, PhD
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Sent: 7/5/02 12:20 AM
> Subject: Re: A new aging survey for the list
>
> In a message dated 7/4/02 7:20:44 PM, [log in to unmask] writes:
>
> >I would, of course.  And you might add "paraplegia" to the location
> list.
> >
> >Kat
>
> I will be cantankerous and stick with diplegia. LOL Actually, I plan to
> reformat Carla's original 10 questions. I hope we get a better response.
> How
> far along are you on the new web page?
>
> Bobby