Chester is in his early twenties.  When I was his age I backpacked, biked,
did everything an "able-bodied" person might do, albeit with a good measure
of physical awkwardness.  Now my chronic pain is such that I am often
brought to tears.  Let's see if Chester's opinion changes in twenty years.
Methinks in Chester we are just dealing with the folly and inexperience of
youth.  He can surely be forgiven for that.

-Kyle

-----Original Message-----
From: Betty B [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, November 09, 2000 7:56 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Implications of Cerebral Palsy on the Aging or is that the
ot her way rou...


In a message dated 11/09/2000 7:04:40 AM Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

> If I could stop having CP, believe me, I would.

Point well taken my friend.  I intended no real offense.  I am disabled too,
and have chronic pain that I would like to dispense with.

I beg you to forgive my unkind sarcasm.  I just lost my mother who believed
that she could think her way out of cancer, thanks to the teachings of
Christian Science.  The "healing by thought" school of medicine is a touchy
subject for me.  It has been so in my family as long as I can remember.  I
--
as well as other members of my extended family -- believe that it was also
the influence that resulted in my sister's suicide (although she made that
decision and the blame ultimately rests with her).

I'm sure you can imagine that there was also some invalidation of my
disability.

For this discussion however, it also tends to invalidate the feelings and
expressions of those who suffer from physical problems secondary to CP.
That
was the point I wanted to make.  The problems these folks have been talking
about are real.  In some cases, they constitute disabilities all by
themselves.

I will refrain from further comment.  I do understand your feelings on the
matter.

No hard feelings please, okay?  You're a great guy and I like you.
Sometimes
I have been known to lose my objectivity -- it's that pesky human being
thing.
Betty