In a message dated 3/24/00 8:06:03 PM, [log in to unmask] writes:

<<  have a disability, not CP more of a progressive MD.     It's called
Friedreich's Ataxia, some of you may not have heard of it before because it
is so rare.  I was diagnosed with it at 15, hit the wheelchair at 20 or 21
and I am 30 now.  My speech is slured, I am about deaf, my ankles deformed, I
got no reflexes...look I could go on forever.  I just want to say that you
can hate your disabilty and still live life, I do.  At the same time, my
disability and deciding to finish the hand I was delt with makes me a strong
person.  Anyone deciding to master a...hmmm...[needing a good word(sorry I
hate this word)], crippeling disability is a closer step to happiness.
 >>

Russ,

    I teach rehab. counseling so I know about Frederich Ataxia, it's very
similar to CP but has a later onset. The word you are serching for is
"coping".
Welcome to the list.

Bobby