I'd like to introduce myself..

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

My name is Esther. I and my 3 siblings have CMT. I really don't know

which type as it was never really an important part of my life. I

live in NYC and am a preschool teacher, and am currently going for my

Masters in Special Ed. I love kids, and am good at teaching, but my

job sure is tiring!

I am 23 years old and have noticed myself getting a little more

clumsy and having a little bit of a harder time doing certain things.

Still, I am thankful for the many many things I can do. I have lots

of friends and lead a pretty active lifestyle.

I am glad I stumbled on this group because I really wanted to hear

from others out there who have the same condition that I do (I like

to use the word condition as oposed to disease). The reason that my

CMT is coming up more than it has in my life is because I am starting

to date guys and this is an issue that I have to bring up when things

get serious. Most of the boys barely notice anything wrong with me,

just that I have an awkward gait. But when I tell them about the

condition, it really seems to scare them off.

Now, doing research online for the first time, I can see why! There's

a very negative feel from all of the websites that talk about CMT.

I've always been raised with an attittude of " You can do whatever you

set your mind to do " and " you are just as special and normal as

anyone else " . That is why I was a little shocked at all the

negativity. And that is also why I think this group will be a real

welcome from the usual negative feel one gets when discussing CMT.

Anyway, I am starting to get a little disillusioned with everything,

and my eternally optomistic is starting to get challenged. Anyone out

there that knows what i'm going through? Anyone that has gotten

married despite their CMT? I'd appreciate any encouragement, advice,

ideas and support i can get.

Thanks all, and I am looking forward to communicating with people

that understand me without any need for explanations.