How do you deal with other kids questions as they grow? [Archive]

Barb

08-01-2008, 03:54 AM

chris8258

09-13-2008, 03:23 AM

I was the same way growing up. I had a few good friends and that really helped me cope with all the teasing I went through.

But if I had to do it all over again I would have never set foot in a public school again.

There was on thing that my mom did for me that really helped, and that was getting me into music. I played the trombone better then anyone, and that helped a ton.

mommy2cnj

10-10-2008, 07:14 PM

Funny you should say your mom let you go into music. I really didn't have much $$$ when band started for my youngster. I was trying to figure out how to swing paying for an instrument so that my child could participate. Well, the means became available, he has a beautiful trumpet, and absolutely loves it. He had a rough start, but by the end of the year (first) concert, he earned the Director's Award (only 3 were given). We've seen a difference between night and day.

A friend and I were talking about how many people seem to shy away (some even run) from an individual wearing leg braces or in a wheelchair. I remembered back to an inservice that our local spina bifida nurse had done at my son's school. She asked kids, so, because he's in a wheelchair, can he still write like you do? do his schoolwork like you do? throw a ball like you do? (and the list goes on and on). I think the whole difference lies in someone seeing that the individual can do the majority of things that others are able to, rather than viewing it as "they can do nothing now...poor poor them", etc.

Many children tend to stare at my kids' wheelchairs, as they do not know how, why, etc. However, the minute we're at the golden arches (for example), and my kids are able to get out of their chairs and play on the equipment as any other child would, that's when the other children tend to start warming up, speaking with my children, "Wanna race down the slide with me?" sort of thing.

If a child is staring at my child due to their wheelchair, I always encourage my child to say hello, tell them what their name is and ask what the other child's name is, and 99% of the time, the child is all of a sudden doing everything but climbing on my child's wheelchair. At this point, it's all over but the playing!!:sign0008:

angel

10-10-2008, 09:52 PM

I think it is great the way you handled that!! A lot of time we (i am not placing blame here at all) wait for people to come to us. If they don't we think they don't like us. Maybe they just don't know what to say! I think the best solution to that problem is to engage them. Throw yourself out there mix with people. It is inevitable that you will get negative results from time to time (hey doesn't everybody) but you will be surprised that most people aren't the assholes they sometimes seem to be before you get to know them lol!!!!
We have to look at our selves (in my opnion) and say ok what could i be projecting, is it possible that i don't make myself very approachable? I think it is more important for us because we look different to make sure we get out and socialize with as many people as possible. No one will ever change public opnion but us we gotta show them all what we are made of! Then things may change for future generations.

Angel

Summer25

10-15-2008, 07:13 PM

As a child in elementary school I did presentations each year. I would have the PT bring in wheelchairs for the class to use and each year would show off something new like my braces or an actual shunt. This really helped with the questions and the kids. Each child that was in regular ed that had a disability got to do this.

Gymp

10-25-2008, 02:53 AM

When I was a kid in elementary school way back in the 1960's I used to get beat up a a lot for walking with a bad limp.The first day of 7th grade I was walking home and a bigger kid with a group of others in front of me stopped and he turned around and asked me why I walked like a duck and before I could open my mouth he sucker punched square in the face and he and his buddies laughed I'll never forget that.

That same year the art teacher noticed I wasn't too bad at painting and kinda took me under his wing and coaxed me into staying after class and practicing painting and drawing under his tutelage.There was another student there doing the same as me and he happened to be one of the toughest kids in the school and we got along great cause we were good at the same thing I suppose.We hung around quite a bit and nobody bothered me at that school again.By the time I got into high school I was known as the kid who could draw anything and the only hassles I had were from other students wanting me to draw hippy type posters for them.Even the bad ass bully type kids were asking me to draw pictures for them and I fit in quite well.

Funny how things in life can turn out.

Gymp

Barb

10-25-2008, 08:54 PM

Brandy0215

02-24-2009, 05:28 AM

When I was younger kids would make fun of me and I wouldn't say anything about it.But as I got older I found out that if I didn't make a big deal out of it and explain Why I have to use catheters or wear pull-ups,They didn't bother me because they knew that it wouldn't upset me if they teased me about it.Once I told them what they wanted to know about my problems and they understood it a little better we would usually become friends.

naomi6896

02-25-2009, 09:18 PM

So Gymp do you do art as your profession? I have looked at your art work it is amazing my son liked art but he got frustrated when he doesn't do as well as others and so he likes to be on the computer and teach his Dad how to get to certain things or hook up the electronics in the house and be able to use one remote.....

Gymp

03-19-2009, 02:05 PM

Hi Naomi,sorry it took sooo long to reply to this post.Yes art is my profession.I've drawn or painted pictures for as long as I can remember.In my late teens is when I found out that people were willing to give me money for my artwork.I became a printer along the way as well and did that for many years also,to me the two professions seemed to go hand in hand.I've since given up printing and now design logos,letterheads and business cards as well as repairing old photographs.

I've recently taken (in the last 4 or 5 yrs) up doing graphics on a computer which can be so much fun.I'll take 2 completely different pictures and mash them together,creating one new picture using photoshop.

If your son still likes to draw and has a knack using computers,perhaps he could utilize them both together and come up with some wonderful stuff.

There's a great art/graphics program called "Gimp".It's open source so it's completely free,it comes close to Photoshop but without the price.(Photoshop CS3 costs about 6 or 7 hundred dollars).It might be worth downloading Gimp and letting your son play around with it,here's a link to download Gimp if your interested....

http://download.cnet.com/GIMP/3000-2192_4-10073935.html

Gymp

naomi6896

03-19-2009, 07:46 PM

thank you so much I will let him try that link....
he had his birthday yesterday and his cousin gave him a dragon sketch kit.......He loves it thanks for your reply...

bea22

03-27-2009, 05:06 AM

Dodger67

03-27-2009, 05:50 AM

She has to interact with the other kids - not you.

Three year olds don't normally have the hangups we adults do. They just get on with being and doing without caring about "issues".

So just relax (difficult but you must try) let her do what comes naturally to kids that age and don't project your fears onto her.

I'm assuming she is past the "terrible twos" stage and into the "sweet threes"

angel

03-27-2009, 10:41 AM

I agree with dodger, parents are so scared that their child won't be accepted etc... and kids can sense that. Let your child out to the world so they can see how wonderful she is. Let her go out and make friends. They will probably have questions but just let her answer them her own way. Kids espically young kids are adaptable. I started a pre K program when i was 4 years old. I remember my first day and it was GREAT. I got a couple wierd looks and a lot of questions like (why are your legs broke? lol you know how kids ask questions) but by the end of the day we were all playing together! Whatever you do don't teach her to shy away from anything! Teach her how to go in with her head held high and give her the confidence that she can handle anything. And she will!

Angel

naomi6896

03-27-2009, 03:13 PM

Hi there! i'm new in here, i have 3 years old little girl, the doctors said that she is soo ready to be in school, but i still having a problem on how to interact with other kids.. i hope that we can make it especially with my daughter with SB! GOd bless

she will do fine TRUST me.......................Kids are not like us they can accept her cause of the color shoes she has or the cool backpack.....just treat her like everyone else and play up on all her strengths and down play her weakness......I use too think my son was so fragile because of all he went through but you know he is truly strong because of all he had to go through and it shows..............he is understanding of others and he has a beautiful way of making his own way and has learned that people (kids included) will stare and make comments but he is no different from anyone else.... he may walk different but he gets from one place to the other and he may not use the bathroom like everyone else but he still has too use the bathroom...........the biggest thing for you is too make sure that the adults that interact with your daughter treat her with dignity and respect....
Once my son had a sub in Pre-k and she sent the boys to the restroom before lunch and she told my son "oh not you, you don't go the the rest room like they do." that really upset him and he sat back down and one of his classmates (mind you this is pre-k) said to the lady yes he does he still has too wash his hands he always goes with us........
When I heard this I was fit too be tied how dare she do that too my son...needless to say she and the school apologized and apologized to my son as well but the damage was done in my eyes.....I asked him if he was ok and he said yes............I am glad that my friend told her and I went and washed my hands cause they were really dirty...........
of course I cried and screamed at the school and she NEVER was allowed to sub again.....
yes he was different but he is a part of the pack and NO one has the right to take him out of that PACK...............
he is now 13 and joined the basket ball team...........upset that he spent most of the time on the bench but ready to be on the team again next year he is GREAT really and he has friends and he is just a normal guy who has too do the things we do different...........THAT is all....
so will someone hurt her probably but just tell her you love her and that everything will be ok and then find out what happened and see what you can do to not let it happen again.....:happy065:

cutie patooties mom

03-27-2009, 11:21 PM

Don't worry! When Gabi was little, most little kids were intrigued by her and wanted to play with her toy (her walker.) One of her little friends asked her mom why she couldnt have one too!

She is in 5th grade now and new kids are a little more shy around her, but she does have friends and she is very confident in those friendships. She does come home from school fussing about a little girl who is "catty." It is just typical adolescence. Gabi can be just as "catty" back!!!

She was always treated by our family as if she is no different, so she acts like she is no different.

angel

03-28-2009, 02:45 AM

She was always treated by our family as if she is no different, so she acts like she is no different.

And that is the key to it all!!!!!!!!

Angel

Dodger67

03-28-2009, 07:52 AM

"It is just typical adolescence."

The aliens will be coming for her soon!
Resistance is futile.
All your teenagers are belong to us!

angel

03-28-2009, 02:19 PM

Dodger isn't lying. My son has been abducted by the teenage monster aliens. I look forward to his return someday
Angel

rachiebaby

03-28-2009, 07:44 PM

She was always treated by our family as if she is no different, so she acts like she is no different.
I wish my mom was more like that she treats me normal to an extent but the rest of the time she babies me and she doesn't understand stop very well

cutie patooties mom

03-29-2009, 04:18 AM

"It is just typical adolescence."

The aliens will be coming for her soon!
Resistance is futile.
All your teenagers are belong to us!

YES!!! Some time last year she began to become extremely embarassed at everything that I do or say, but if her "cool" aunts are doing the same thing.... well, they can because they're not me.

I know one day she'll be dancing and singing right along with me!

bea22

03-29-2009, 06:28 AM

Yes, thanks for the advices, that really help me alot, i think that is the best way, even though my daughter is not like them, she is still a kid and has the right to do and try everything like normal children do, but ofcourse with guidance and care.. we are now ready and preparing for her schooling and ready to face the world out there.. i know that my baby can do everything because she is too smart and brave to interact with other people.

Dodger67

03-29-2009, 07:28 AM

Bea
I think you are missing a very important point:
Your daughter IS just like the other kids. You really must try to stop pointing out the (irrelevant to kids) differences.

angel

03-29-2009, 04:45 PM

I agree with dodger again, she is no different than the other kids. Everything about them is the same. So maybe she can't walk that isn't a big deal at all and as far as shunt issues bladder issues those are neither here nor there in who she is (and quite frankly none of the other kid's business anyway). Some of us have a little extra equipment to deal with but we still have all the same parts that make us human. It isn't any different than a kid that might have tubes in their ears to help with ear infections. Just extra equipment.
I am not trying to butt in but a little more friendly advice for you from someone who has been there and done all this. Don't over do the guidence. Just treat her as you would a child without a disability! I don't mean be lax on the physical care I mean mentally. She isn't made of glass. She is probably tougher than all those kids put together give her confidence and teach her not to be afriad and she will thrive beyond your wildest dreams.

Angel

bea22

03-30-2009, 04:02 AM

yah right.. she is not different.. i know, she can and i will give all my trust and love for her to reach all her dreams in life..

naomi6896

03-30-2009, 02:15 PM

I wish my mom was more like that she treats me normal to an extent but the rest of the time she babies me and she doesn't understand stop very well

it is difficult to stop.........the babying.....not because we think our kids are babies but sometimes SOMETIMES we see what is going on and all our kids go through we want to do as much as possible I use to take on the attitude if the outside world is tough on him I will not be.............
Until one day my son my baby showed me how dependent he was on me and my husband said yep.............that is your BABY!" I decided right then and there that yes he would always be my baby NO matter what but he would grow up to be a man some day and he would need to do so on his own... so we learned together I would ask him if he needed help instead of offering to do it for him and when I knew he could but was lazy I just said hey you can do that right and he would...........it was CLEARLY a learning process for me..................I am still learning.

canadian mom

05-20-2009, 05:16 AM

Spokie

05-20-2009, 07:24 AM

SB kids are not different or weird or "not normal". Like most people on earth, they have certain things on their body that does not work the way it should. My son understands that now. Knowing this has helped him a lot.

Kids also stare at my son in his wheelchair - not because he's weird, but because they're actually interested in this different way of moving around. When they're scared or unsure, they'll start mocking and teasing. What my son does, is joke with them. When they ask him or me what's wrong with him, they get the straight answer - his legs do not work. That's all they want to know, actually. Okay, so his legs do not work, so he uses a wheelchair. Cool, can I have a ride in it? Some people's eyes do not work, so they use spectacles, etc. There will always be the ones that will tease. The world isn't perfect.

Grown-ups tend to keep their distance - not knowing what to say or how to react. So he greets them first and chats away.

Funny thing - isn't it strange how some people think that because he's in a wheelchair, he's deaf, blind or mentally retarted? Weird...

angel

05-20-2009, 11:42 AM

This is something that I need to learn to do. I hope that it isn't too late. I think that we have allowed Jenna to be a bit too dependant on us, and our youngest is picking up on that and wanting to help her big sister too often. I often tell my youngest one to let Jenna do it herself. How do you encourage your children to be more independent if they are only to happy to let you do everything for them?

Marsha

My approach to something like this is I just don't do for my child what I expect him to do for himself. If he wants a drink he knows where the kitchen is. I expect him to help out in every way he can. I walk with crutches and he walks unassisted. So he gets to carry out the garbage since I can not. He has SBO but has tried to use it as an excuse in the past to not do things. I have SB myleo. I have always had chores, did everything for myself what I was capable of doing (which is just about everything). It would have been much easier to let someone else do everything for me but that wasn't an option. If you don't do everything for them they will stop expecting it. How old is your daughter? My son is 12 so now he likes to tell me that I make him do to much work. Like taking out the garbage, carying in bags from the car and cleaning his room will kill him! Mine is old enough to be mouthy about it! I always tell him that if he wants to see what real work is like i will be more than happy to show him! He usually drops it after that one.

Angel

Gymp

05-20-2009, 11:43 AM

Funny thing - isn't it strange how some people think that because he's in a wheelchair, he's deaf, blind or mentally retarted? Weird...

^ Ain't that the truth!
I've noticed with the wife in a wheelchair that when we meet strangers they have a tendency to speak to her one or two octaves louder and enunciate in a clearer tone than they do to me,some even use more hand gestures than what one normally would. :-)

Gymp

Barb

05-27-2009, 08:52 PM

We need to sticky a thread on funny stories about stupid things that happen to us.

Today we are at the park and this little four year old comes up to C and tells him "don't worry, in Paradise you won't need your wheelchair anymore" Grrrrrr....

But the funny part is that he gets back in the car and after thinking about it says, "Mom, why wouldn't I use my chair in Hawaii?"

:peace:

eng188

05-28-2009, 01:45 PM

There's also a town near Chico, CA called Paradise. It's not really known to have curative effects on SB's.

angel

05-29-2009, 02:35 AM

We took our boys to the zoo in Pittsburgh last weekend. There were more people staring at me than at the animals. I feel I should have been able to charge them money to look at me as well lol. I can't count the people that staired at me just like they were at the animals.

Angel

dahliafaolan

05-29-2009, 04:30 AM

Well when I was a kid, and kids would ask me why I was in the chair, I would just tell them the truth. I would say that when I was born, my legs didn't work. Once the questions were taken care of, the kids were always eager to play with me. To be honest, I've only had a handful of bad experiences because of my chair. The first I can ever remember was in middle school. My best friend and I had been friends since he was in diapers. (lol I just went to say when we were both in diapers, but realized that isn't a good measurement of time on my end.) We spent every Saturday afternoon playing together while our parents played cards. Well, we went to different schools. I went to a public school and he went to private school. Well I don't know how it was brought up in the class, but the teacher asked the kids if they would ever play with a kid in a wheelchair. And my friend was so horribly offended when the kids all said that they wouldn't, he almost got into a fight. Well the teacher pulled Jake aside and asked him why he reacted in such a way. He proceeded to tell her about me, so she called up my mom and asked if we would mind going talk to the class. We agreed to go talk to them. At first the kids didn't react too well to my presence, but by the end of the day we were all playing basketball together!

As I got older, I got a little less forthcoming with my answers. After a few years of being stared at, I got a little defensive. For a few years, I operated under the idea of, "if they're going to stare at me, I'll give them something to stare at," and went Goth. It was fun for a while, but now I'm thinking about going back.

But I find myself enjoying the questions now that I'm older. I rather the questions than being stared at. In fact, the first thing my boyfriend ever said to me was "What's with the chair?" I think that's when I fell in love with him. lol

eng188

06-04-2009, 05:07 AM

Not that you asked me, but you make a nice goth :p . I'm just plaid and khakis, more or less, but have had a few goth friends.

I like the questions, but I need to be careful of my tone of voice in answering (I'm assuming), because I do get lots of folks saying "poor you, I bet you wish you could be like me" or "you're an inspiration" (and not explain why I am), etc.

To me it's like asking about someone's, say, racial background. Shouldn't be sensitive.

dahliafaolan

06-04-2009, 12:10 PM

lol thanks. That's one of my favorite pictures of myself. The dress is actually my second prom dress. Yeah, I can definitely say I liked tweaking my mom's nose. She had a fit the entire time it was being made, but I have had nothing but compliments every time I have worn it. That picture was from the time I went to a showing of Rocky Horror Picture Show at my school. Best time I had had in a long time.

bcain

06-05-2009, 10:10 PM

Dali and Angel you are something! I love your point of views and your stories.

Angel that's a funny story, but does it make you uncomfortable still? Would you rather people have conversation with you rather than stare? And should the chair just be ignored? Of course you probably don't want to be interrupted either. I suppose society still hasn't gotten used to seeing wheelchair users out and about being independent, you are a small percentage of the population and therefore a curiosity. Our manners are definately lacking.

I go to a local park/pond with ducks. The caretaker of dispensing the free feed corn to the public is a disabled young man.
He is very sociable when spoken to, however his body is very contorted and he is up rather high in the chair, he cannot make eye contact. I ignore the chair and his disability. I talk that light polite stuff about weather, and visitors for the day. I do wonder about his condition but I feel it's his private business.

angel

06-06-2009, 01:26 AM

After a lifetime of living with spina bifida I don't notice it so much anymore unless it is just over the top obvious. Sometimes it is and sometimes you honestly just want to smack people because they act so rediculious. My son was with me that day i was speaking of and it just pisses him off for people to stare at me. I have tried and tried to tell him that you just have to let it roll off your back because if you don't you will be pissed off all the time and that hurts no one but you! He still doesn't get it. I also had my husband with me and I know people are stareing when i hear him say "It was a bear" or "a bear got her" That is what he says to people when he catches them with their deer in the headlights look. He actually tells people that a bear attacked me. I keep telling him that people in general are dumb enough to believe that. He thinks it's funny. I think it is his way of bringing attention to them so they will notice they are stareing and they will stop. He is able bodied and we have been married for almost 5 years so this is still pretty new to him. He says he just doesn't see what the big damn deal is. I don't either.

Would I rather people talk to me well sometimes yes and sometimes no. Sometimes they talk to me like i am 4 years old, sometimes they just say the dumbest things, sometimes they stumble all over themselves not to say the wrong things or hurt my feelings (which is useless because I am not the overly sensitive type) I have had so many wretched things said to me that nothing shocks me anymore.

The best thing people can do (and it is so simple but again so few realize this) is just act natural. Speak like you would to any other person. That is what I do no matter who i am talking to. If they have trouble talking I wait until they get out whatever it is they have to say. When I was working with the public and someone came in that couldn't hear I learned writing notes on a piece of paper worked very well, but the bottom line is everyone wants to be talked to, not talked down to or talked at. I have learned to deal with it by ignoring people who just don't seem to get that. That is of course after I have tried to talk to them like the normal person I am and they still don't seem to get the picture.

As far as the wheelchair goes some people are touchy some are not. I do not want someone pushing mine unless i ask them to. Other than that I have no issues about it. I don't know why it would be so wierd maybe because I am used to seeing people in them. My son was raised used to it as well. As a matter of fact we got a letter in the mail that wheelchair basketball is starting up again this summer and he can't wait. He can walk, he can sort of run, and could play without the chair. He has no intrest in it that way but loves playing in the chair.

When I was little I found out very quickly that if i let the other kids play with my crutches when i wasn't using them then they wern't so intimidated by them. I still let kids play with them. Most parents will gasp and say NOOOOOOO give those back to her. Once I tell them that I don't mind the kids playing with them if they don't mind they usually lighten up. I explain to them that if they can hold it and touch it they see it as an object (which is all it is) and even more than that they think they are loads of fun! Intimidation eleminated and next time they see them the worst that can happen is they will want to play with them. My cousin who is 2 years old is just now old enough to notice the chair and crutches. He was apprehensive at first he didn't come around me until I told him he could play with them. Now my chair is his lawnmower and my crutches are his leaf blowers. Some facination with gardening i guess lol.

Angel

bcain

06-07-2009, 04:20 AM

Angel, Your hubby sounds like a great (and funny guy). I love to hear what you have to say. You could write a book I'm sure.

I think playing basket ball from the chair looks harder, but definately looks like a fun challenge as well. There's a league that justed started here in upstate NY. They had a scrimmage against able bodied people who volunteer to play against them. I think it was a fund raiser as well. It made the news here, I didn't hear who won though.

I think your approach to the little ones is great, it takes away the fear and the curiosity. Brings out "you, the person".

Thanks again for your reply.:goodpost:

kidsrustx

06-09-2009, 07:29 PM

Alvy

06-16-2009, 01:32 PM

Another thread on the site got me started thinking about hard this was/is to deal with and it changes as kids grow. So, I would love to hear how you deal with this as well. When C was in his toddler, preschool years we would often get asked by kids his age "What is wrong with him?" Not even addressing him. Since they were pretty innocent about everything and mothers usually horrified. I would usually get down on their level and say, "Well, nothing is WRONG with him. When he was born his legs worked differently than yours. The braces and wheelchair help him to be just as fast as you." That was usually a great explaination and they were happy to play with him. Now he will be 10 in two weeks and I find that kids dont ask anymore, they just avoid him which makes making friends very hard because he is not the type to reach out.

So, what are some things you have said, taught your kid say that help?

Kids can be pretty nasty at times, especially towards other kids who are "different". When I was in primary school, or in your terms, elementary school, I didn't have friends till I was about 11 years old. As normal kids, they tend to see people who are "different" as freaks or just simply not someone they'd want to mix around with. Why, you may ask. I'd say, they just don't really have the maturity yet and they'd rather stick to the majority who are normal.

I believe as he grows older, he will have more friends. Let things happen naturally. Try to teach him to open up a little more and not hide within himself too much. I used to be very withdrawn, not mixing with people. Actually, I still am an introvert. But slowly, I learnt to open up bit by bit. Tell your son that, perhaps he might not have a lot of friends, but those friends that he'll make or already have, are those that he must treasure. These are the ones that accept him for who he is, and such friends are hard to come by. They will help him when he needs them most.

There will definitely be kids who'd tease him and what-not. It's the norm. It's hard not to take it to heart, I understand that. The teasing is something that will happen at some point in his life.

If there are a lot of restrictions in his life such as not being able to do sports etc., find something that he can do. FOCUS on what he CAN do rather than what he cannot do. I can't do sports, I can't run or jump, there's a lot that I can't do, but I found something that I can do, which is beatboxing. It's something unique that I can do that not many others can. My friends come to me when they have problems in their lives that they need someone to share with, somewhat like a counsellor. I have teachers sharing their problems with me. Such things need to be built on slowly.

Everything takes time. Let him adjust himself somehow. He's a special kid with a lot inside of him. There will be people who will accept him for who he is..don't worry dear! I hope this helps! God bless..=)

dahliafaolan

06-16-2009, 06:43 PM

My son is just now struggling with this. He got an AFO a few months ago. While he loves the fact that he can run and walk without much of a limp with it, he hates the stares. He hates wearing shorts with it and we live in TEXAS! I hope that he will get more used to the staring and not notice it or at least not let it bother him.
I think he'll eventually get used to it. My AFOs never bothered me much. It was the RGOs that really bothered me. I think after having them, the AFOs were such a nonissue that they only bugged me when I would get a nick or something in them and have to get new ones.

bcain

06-25-2009, 04:05 PM

What is an RGO?

dahliafaolan

06-26-2009, 12:47 AM

RGO stands for reciprocating gait orthotic. It was one of my orthopedic doctor's misguided attempt to get me to walk when I was young. If you've ever seen the movie Forest Gump, they looked kind of like the braces he had to wear in the movie. Basically it was just an attempt to make me stand and bear weight on my feet which I never really understood because I would have just had to give it all up when I "blossomed." They told me it was to prevent me from getting osteoporosis at a young age because apparently the bones don't calcify properly if weight isn't applied to the bones. Didn't make a bit of difference anyway. I'll be 24 a week from Monday and I've already broken my left leg four times. Oh well. I guess the old quack's heart was in the right place.

canadian mom

07-04-2009, 04:47 AM

Angel,

Sorry it has taken me so long to respond to you answering my question! I haven't been online for awhile.

My daughter is going to be 6 in September. She likes to help with the things that interest her. If it looks a little to hard, she gives up right aways and says "I can't." I think that sometimes we just have to think a bit more about what are jobs she can do that are age appropriate and feasible for her to do. (She has SB myelo, and uses a wheelchair full-time.)

Thanks for your advice! I appreciate being able to talk to others who have or are going through some of the same stuff. Your parents sound like they prepared you well for life. I hope that can be said of my husband and I with our daughter.

Marsha

jcgirl

08-26-2009, 08:02 PM

This thread hits close to home for me. I have three kids. My two youngest have mylo Sb (ages 5 and 1). My daughter and I just went for the kindergarten orientation Monday. While scooting around the big toy a little girl asked me (of course she didn't look at my daughter at all), "Are her legs broke?" I told her "No, she was born....." the little girl was gone that quick. So, Kylee continued to scoot to the slide and waited her turn to go down it. The other kids just kind of ran in front of her and at one point a little boy stepped on her hand. All the "mama bear" in me wanted to say.. "HELLOOO!, That's it, we're doing home school!" Instead I got up there with her and set her on the slide and let her go down. Kylee has been in preschool for 2 years so it's not really a new thing. She is so social that she usually wins people over pretty quick anyway. But, for some reason (probably just bad timing) it really broke my heart for her. So, usually we're just pretty straight forward with kids about it when they ask... but, there's still those days:kleenex:

Gabe's Mom

10-21-2009, 03:28 AM

We are actually at this time dealing with kids not wanting to play with Gabe because he is different. He was doing really good at the beginning of the year and it has gotten to the point were I have to drag him out of the car and carry him into the school. He throws huge fits saying he doesn't like this school and he wants to go home. I asked him why and he mentioned one of the boys in the class doesn't want to play with him and is mean to him. I went and talked to the principle and the teacher and explained to them that they need to dedicate a time to talk to the kids in the class. Kids need to learn at a young age that there are people out there that may look different but they all have the same heart and feelings. Gabe has done alot better the last couple of days because they talked to the students and explained to them that it hurts Gabe when they talk mean to him or leave him out of activities because of his condition. The school has been pretty understanding for a private school!