Schooling

[Guest guest]

Hi all- I don't have an opinion one way or the other about schooling.

Both our children have been educated in a small parochial school and

are now in public schools. They got more academic education in the

parochial school and more of another kind of education in the public

school, but we can't shelter them forever. We have several friends who

home school and their children are definitely more advanced

academically and do well socially. We just don't have the temperaments

to home school. I don't know that it really makes a difference whether

our children have CMT or not, although one person's comments on

fatigue would seem to make sense.

My own experience of CMT in parochial and public schools had the bad,

the good and the hilarious. In first grade, I already was having

trouble with steps. Some of the Sisters took it upon themselves to

" correct " my stair climbing skills which was sometimes embarrassing.

After I was diagnosed at age 12, there was talk of an operation.

Living in a small town and going to a small school, everyone knew.

Several of the older boys made sure my parents and teachers knew they

would carry me around the school, especially on the steps, so I

wouldn't have to leave the school to attend a more accessible public

school. Later, in public high school, due to a new school being built,

my younger brother and I were sent to this school. One day, in the

locker room after practice, he overheard several other boys laughing

about my " drinking problem, " their only way of understanding why I

weaved around when standing still or walking down the hallway. My

brother was quite upset and needed reassurance this kind of talk

didn't bother me. He didn't care, as long as I didn't, what others

said, he just wanted me not to be hurt.

Even after I was diagnosed, I played football, basketball, baseball,

soccer and whatever other games a bunch of boys could think up. I last

played organized sports, though, the year after I was diagnosed. My

brothers and friends rarely gave me any leaway and I just competed the

best I could. Of course, this drove my mother crazy with worry.

Fortunately she listened to my Dad who let me do what I could. I

didn't break any bones, until I was 43 years old. I got a small

fracture in my left tibia while walking the dog. Six months later, I

severely fractured my right tibia bird watching. Go figure.

I guess I say all this to remind everyone that every experience will

have it's positives and negatives. As parents, we want what is best

for our children and knowing what that is with all the competing

advice is hard. No decision is ever final. I tried to play soccer one

year after I was diagnosed- teenage need to be the same as others.

After several practices coming home physically exhausted and in pain,

getting beat in almost every play, I stopped and became the team

manager. Let your children try. They're smarter than we give them

credit for half the time. Try home schooling or other schooling. If it

doesn't work, try the other.

Overall, be gentle with yourselves, your children and others. We'll

all live longer and be happier.

Jim