let me clarify the quick response i just gave. i do not know that the actuall brain dameage gets worse, probably not. buy the wear and tear on our bodys i think is accellerasted by the constant spastisity and tightness. then as we wear down the ability to counter the effects may deminish. -----Original Message----- From: Perk [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Friday, December 10, 1999 9:53 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Talking to kids about disabilities They were being well intended. Yes , they are older people. Does Cerebral Palsy get worse? does a person's body with CP wear out quicker? ----- Original Message ----- From: Barber, Kenneth L. <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Thursday, December 09, 1999 8:22 AM Subject: Re: Talking to kids about disabilities > they are probably just well intended, but iqnorant. are they older > individuals? the old thought was that cp never got worse and that the > undamage brain cells would pick up some of the function. reality is as we > age we see that our bodies are wearing out quicker. > > -----Original Message----- > From: Perk [mailto:[log in to unmask]] > Sent: Thursday, December 09, 1999 9:09 AM > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Re: Talking to kids about disabilities > > > 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. > > Kathy > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Elaine Taylor <[log in to unmask]> > To: <[log in to unmask]> > Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 1999 8:00 AM > Subject: Re: Talking to kids about disabilities > > > > When kids are young, usually under 8, and they are staring at my kids, I > try > > to draw them into a conversation about the power chair and show how "cool" > it > > is that Alex and Briana can drive it themselves just like the powerwheel > cars > > that kids use. However, when kids look old enough to understand and just > > stare, I have instructed Briana to ask them "Do you have a problem or What > > are you looking at?" > > > > It may not be very nice, but I am very tired of people staring at my kids. > > She did it once to a kid in ShopRite and he sort of stuttered "ah, ah, > > nothing," he was old enough to know better, and hopefully, he won't do it > > again. I will not have people staring at my kids like their freaks! > > > > The other thing I am extremely tired of is adults looking at them in pity > and > > patting them on the head. Their not dogs for heaven's sake. Or, oh, God > > Bless you (he already has, they just don't know it), I don't know how you > do > > it. It may be a well intended statement, but quite honestly, I'm tired of > it. > > > > Elaine > > >