I couldn't ever do that to anybody , Betty.  I guess I'm too nice of a
person.  Kathy





----- Original Message -----
From: Betty Alfred <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 1999 8:51 AM
Subject: Re: Talking to adults about disabilities


> In a message dated 12/09/1999 9:17:58 AM Eastern Standard Time,
> [log in to unmask] writes:
>
> << I would like to turn the focus on this message on adults. . .  I ran in
to
>  two adults that told me everyday for fifteen years that I could walk and
get
>  over Cerebral Palsy later in my life.  (They are sisters.) They claimed
they
>  loved me.
>   >>
>
> I call them "snake oil" salesmen Kathy.  I get this all the time.  It's
> practically destroyed some old friendships, and relationships with some
> relatives.  As soon as they found out I had a neurological impairment,
they
> decided that they would throw every vitamin regimen and mountain man cure
at
> me they could think of.  I avoid some of them like the plague now, because
> they won't let up.  Every encounter is their open door to "practice
> medicine."
>
> I don't know why, but I figured if you had a disability that has always
been
> a part of you, that people would consider it sacred territory and leave
you
> alone.  I didn't think they hit on people with CP too.  I guess I have a
lot
> to learn.
>
> Betty
>