Re: Telling my son

[Guest guest]

I don't think it's a matter of me telling my son. He is very aware

that I have CMT and that it is inherited from my side of the family.

Right now I am sitting in a wheel chair due to an accident from being

too stubborn to wear my AFO's. He has told his best friend's mother

that he's sure he also has CMT. He had her watch the way he walks

and talked to her about the numbness. But still, he refuses to go to

the Dr. for a diagnosis. He has been thru alot in the last two years

- suffering broken ankles - once in Nov. 2000 and once in Dec, 2001.

After the second break he finally gave up his beloved sport -

basketball. I don't think he can handle the emotional impact that a

diagnosis sometimes provides us with. And his attitude is there's

no cure so what's the point. Right now he is focusing on his

college education - 4.0 for a first semester freshman!!

My concern however, is that he doesn't take proper care of himself

and only causes more damage to his system. I don't think I could

hold him back even if I wanted to, he has always had a mind of his

own. I did purchase the management book by Dr. Vinci. I have read

it and hopefully I will be able to get my son to educate himself a

little more by reading it also.

I think dealing with CMT is a very personal issue. I know I have been

diagnosed for about 12 years and I still struggle to accept my

limitations, I wouldn't be sitting in this chair otherwise. So

who am I to judge how he deals with this. I think it's something

that evolves for each of us at our own pace. Anyway, thank you

everyone for your input. I have especially apppreciated hearing

from the young people who probably can relate to my son's way of thinking better

than me.