being a regular kid vs. being different

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

Well I thought I would ask this since Natalia had mentioned it in one of her

posts. Yesterday, as and I were in the car she told me that she doesn't

want to be a " different kid " anymore. she just wants to be a " regular kid with

no tubie (g-tube) and no CF " Well I was just about floored because we really

treat her like a regular kid and there has not been any problems at school that

I am aware of. I will be speaking to her teacher this afternoon or tomorrow, to

make sure that everything is OK in the classroom.

Anyway she was near tears, saying that she just wanted to throw her CF out in

the trashcan and be a " regular " kid. We have discussed people being different

from each other many times and I have pointed out that lots of people have

things about them that are different. I have terrible eyesight and can not see

much without my glasses. Her cousin can't eat many MANY things because of his

anaphylaxis plus he has asthma, and several of her classmates have asthma. She

has a friend with other health problems who has trouble walking..........

Well anyway I told her that she could get rid of the tubie if she ate enough,

but that it would be hard to eat as much as she needs to. She replied that she

hates to eat.

What the heck do I say to these things? I know that she will never be exactly

like her friends at school, but none of us are exactly alike! It seems like

everyone has something different about them, but no one else that she knows has

CF.

What do other parents say when this comes up?

mom of 5 with CF and one on the way