Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 27, 1994 TAG: 9403250055
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
Our daughter, who will soon be 32, has cerebral palsy and also is mentally disabled. We accepted her and provided opportunities for her to meet with success and achievement in her way. Forcing her to do more would have been unkind and selfish on our part. She has a very solid, secure concept about her "wonderfulness."
Mom, everyone has limitations. I currently use a wheelchair because of the post-polio syndrome and arthritis. You and I have many invisible limitations, but no one forces us to compete where we'd have major obstacles. You are asking your son to compete in a very unrealistic manner.
In recreation, individuals should have fun and participate in a way that builds their self-concept. Your son can do this in many ways. He's too young to express his true feelings about all that is happening or afraid because of all the scenes. No child would want all this focus on him. Your major concern should be letting him be a part of the team as he can contribute.
Mom, I encourage you to accept your son and stop forcing him to be a spectacle because an activity may not be for him. Find activities that lend themselves to that and look within yourself and determine if football and baseball meet his objectives or yours. Tasks completed on the side and done well can build his self-esteem and make him feel far more a part of the team than being forced in the middle of the floor.\ Louise Wade Dublin
by CNB