Hi All -- I'm not sure who started this conversation, but I feel
compelled
to speak up. I think I have "mild CP" (of course I hadn't realized a LOT
of things until I joined this list). I've had surgeries: was in a
wheelchair,
had crutches and then walked independently around age 18 after the
last surgery on my knee. In my childhood, I was treated cruelly by some,
compassionately by others. I went to public schools (when I attended)
and was a Brownie and Girl Scout.

Some of the activities listed here may or may not be possible.
But what is possible is the development of supportive relationships
with peers that would allow some of these to be accomplished.
The reality is that NOONE is totally independent in life, physically or
emotionally, regardless of capability.

In deciding about surgeries, please keep this in mind.
I do physical therapy daily (I'm sure a lot of us do).
There are things that I will not do and some I can not do.
In most respects I am quite "normal", except appearance and
"fighting spirit". I'll take the fighting spirit any day - and that is
directly attributable to my experiences and opportunities.

God Bless my father, for the surgeries and the courage to let me grow up.

JMW
On Mon, 13 Sep 1999 21:39:38 EDT Richard Hudson <[log in to unmask]>
writes:
>
> In a message dated 09/13/1999 7:20:09 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
> [log in to unmask] writes:
>
> <<
>  Hi, yes, I could wait, however, I feel that she has missed out
> enough of her
>  childhood.  I want to see her play hopscotch (out of her
> wheelchair), swim
>  independently and than be able to stand in the pool when she's
> tired of
>  swimming.  I think about when she's a teen and someone asks her to
> a
>  sleepover and she wouldn't be able to go because she can't stand on
> her own
>  to be able to go to the bathroom independently.  BTW, the doctor
> has told me
>  that this will work 100%, no ifs and's or but's. >>
>
>
> I know someone that had mild CP and could walk untiul a doctor
> botched up a
> surgery now shes in a wheelchair
>
> RIchard Hudson

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