CF and being different

[Guest guest]

,

Ainslie now 11 has never told me that she hates being different, only

that she hates having to do all the 'stuff'.

I have always told her from very young that cf is something that

makes her special, and have pointed out different things about

different people and this has helped. I have also made a concerted

effort to make sure she is not different in other ways eg fashion

etc.things important to her.

My problem came with my son who does not have cf and he asked what

makes him special. He has no medical problems so then I explained

that everyone is special in their own way, their kindness, their

ability to love other people, their friendliness, and explained that

he and Ainslie had these qualities, tis made them both happy.

Now Ainslie is 11 there are problems in that she has her own mind and

is very determined to get her own way. This is a good trait for her

to have in my mind but it is difficult. So when she now says she does

not want to do treatments I say " fine, you make the choice to stop

all the treatments etc., but be aware that there will be consequences

to your choices. Hospital being one of them. " I was very reluctant

to go down this path but she is a very intelligent young lady and the

more you push her to do something the more she baulks. If she chooses

to do something life is easier.

I hope this helps somewhat, it is very difficult for us who don't

have cf to understand how our kids are truly feeling but we can only

try. This list is terrific for helping to increase our understanding.

Terri

from Hobart mum to Ainslie 11wcf and Connor 7 nocf