Meg--CP, RA etc.

[Guest guest]

Hi Meg,

It was good to hear from you again. When I was born 58 years ago, my

mother was told to put me in an institution--that's how sophisticated

the medical profession was then. (I was 6 weeks premature due to

toxemia she suffered after a fall.) She took me home, and I don't

think I saw a doctor again until I was 19--not because I didn't need

one, but because she decided she didn't believe in them any more. At

least she didn't heed their advice! I did struggle sometimes in

school, but more because I was uncoordinated than anything else, and

often laughed at.

The rheumatologists I've seen never mentioned anything about the

effects of CP on the joints, but then they were too busy trying to

tell me the pain was " all in my head " and finally dismissing it as

fibromyalgia. Now I am in the process of re-educating them, letting

them see a genuine case of Dercum's Disease so they know what to look

for, but you can bet I will reiterate the CP points along with the

post-polio considerations.

I couldn't have gotten where I am today though without my wonderful

and supportive husband--he has accepted me " warts and all. " He has

Parkinson's, so we keep each other uplifted. I also have a very dear

friend and neighbor, Kays, who owns the local bookstore &

coffee shop. has profound CP, and is confined to a wheel

chair, and one of the sweetest most intelligent people in this town.

A college graduate, he refused to allow the state or his family to

support him, so he opened this shop which is the most popular place

in town. He wants to marry and have children, and he would be good

with them--our little 4-year old TJ loves to sit on 's lap

and " talk " --I kid that TJ will probably teach him how to spell

(he usually uses a letter board to communicate.)

I'm glad you're out here too!

Judi