Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!bonnie.concordia.ca!uunet!olivea!mintaka!yale!bunker!hcap!hnews!105!642.10!Betty.J.
From: Betty.J.@p10.f642.n105.z1.fidonet.org (Betty J.)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: NEW TO ECHO
Message-ID: <17095@bunker.UUCP>
Date: 22 Jan 91 21:49:28 GMT
Sender: wtm@bunker.UUCP
Reply-To: Betty.J.@p10.f642.n105.z1.fidonet.org
Distribution: misc
Organization: FidoNet node 1:105/642.10 - Darkstar System, Longview WA
Lines: 39
Approved: wtm@bunker.UUCP

Index Number: 13106

 
Greetings from Longview  WA.
 
We have a 4 year old son (Adam) that is an Achondroplasic Dwarf.  Adam's torso 
is about average size, his arms & legs are only about half the length of what 
an average size child's would be, his projected adult height is 4'4".  He is 
currently 32" tall, which is the average height for a 17 month old boy.  He 
has normal intellegence & social skills.  His gross & fine motor skills are in 
the lower limits for a 4 year old, due to limited extremity length.  He gets 
lots of stares in the store, people can't quite put their finger on what is 
different about him.  Or they think he is less than 2 years old and can't 
believe how well he talks.
 
Durring his first year he had some medical problems that required frequent 
doctor visits and a short hospitalization.  The last couple of years he has 
been very healthy and has had only "normal" childhood illnesses.
 
We are interested in any hints to ease the transition from pre-school to 
public school; ways to handle social situations; networking with others that 
are short statured & other parents of children with special needs; suggestions 
for older siblings to deal with stares & questions; etc.
 
We are members of Little People of America (LPA), however; there is not a 
local chapter.  We try to go to the Puget Sound Chapter meetings when they are 
on the south end of the Seattle area.  We also try to attend the regional 
weekend meetings that are held twice a year.
 
My husband says that I'm a worrier. But, I like to know what might be comming 
and have some idea of how to handle it (I'm not very good at thinking on my 
feet).
 
                                ROB & BETTY JACOBSEN
 

--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!105!642.10!Betty.J.
Internet: Betty.J.@p10.f642.n105.z1.fidonet.org