AFOs/telling people/for Terry Little

[Guest guest]

Terry, In response to your question, " Curious, does anyone

look/ask you questions....friends, family, or otherwise? "

When I first started walking with a cane about a year ago,

I swear everyone I ran into in public, at church, you name it,

asked me, " What happened to you? " . I guess they assumed I was

injured. I just politely answered them by explaining that

I have a genetic muscle disease that I was diagnosed with

6 years ago. If they probe more, I tell them I have CMT, etc.

I always thank them for their concern. Since people know I

have a problem, I don't think they're going to be surprised to

see the leg braces. In fact, I saw an old acquaintance last

night who said, " I see you found a new way to walk! " I said,

" Look at me - no cane! "

I have always been up front about sharing my story with friends and especially

family members.

I guess my life's an open book in a lot of ways. I used to do

everything I could to conceal my illness, I guess that's why

people were surprised to see me walk with a cane originally.

But, I don't feel that way anymore - the last thing in the

world I want is for people to feel sorry for me - so I talk

about it freely. I let people know that I'm doing fine and

that the illness is not going to get the best of me.