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From: deforest@hpihoah.cup.hp.com (Martha de Forest)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: NEW TO ECHO
Message-ID: <17283@bunker.UUCP>
Date: 31 Jan 91 03:12:33 GMT
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Reply-To: deforest@hpihoah.cup.hp.com (Martha de Forest)
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Index Number: 13270

In # 13112, Gary.Rapert@hnews.fidonet.org (Gary Rapert) writes:

> [...]
> 
> When the stares turns into teasing and taunts, especially from peers, 
> there is another problem.  We haven't had this problem, yet, but I'm sure 
> it will come.  We have encouraged things such as birthday parties with 
> children from his preschool and Sunday School classes, and we insist on 
> placing him in groups that are age-approporiate, not size-appropriate. 
> 
> [...]

My daughter is 10 and has Spina Bifida.  She, too, is short for her age
and a ten years, she is becoming quite a young lady.  She walks with 
crutches and braces, so she attracts attention from strangers, but seems
unaffected by the stares.  She is very outgoing and has no trouble 
approaching strangers and introducing herself, especially when there are
babies or animals involved!

When Lea was 4-5, she attended a pre-school that had a bully in training.
At that time she walked with a walker.  The bully would stand in front 
of her to block her way.  She would just look right through him and keep
walking.  She basically removed the guy from her universe, and the result
was less than satisfying to the attention-starved bully.  After the event,
the boy made every attempt to get Lea's friendship (if you can't beat'm,
join'm) and Lea was as pleasant as ever.

Your worries about teasing and taunts were my worries too, but they have
never been an issue for Lea.  Lea's personality is very mothering and she
has many friends who love to be mothered.  Her friends stand up for her
and she ignores the 1:30 duds.

Now, I have a questioin for you guys.  How do you get a child to be self-
motivated when it comes to medical needs like medicine, drinking water,
and other issues that make the child different from other children?  This
is my BIG issue at the moment.

Martha de Forest
deforest@hpihoah.cup.hp.com