--- In sbaofnc@yahoogroups.com, "Mari Pedersen" <mpedersen@...>
wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> My son has SB, he is 7.5. He is starting to realize his
limitations too and
> becoming more aware of how he can't play regular sports.
>
> Mari
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: sbaofnc@yahoogroups.com [mailto:sbaofnc@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of
> alfredlyons
> Sent: Friday, August 18, 2006 11:19 PM
> To: sbaofnc@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [SBAofNC] New To Asheville
>
> Hi Friends!
>
our
> 7yo "Ana" is really starting to notice differences>
> Thanks!
>
> Al & Karen Lyons
> alfredlyons@...
> 828.335.9900
>
Hi Al & Karen, Mari,

I'm one of those guys that grew to adulthood with SB. I'll be 43 in
December.

I remember when I first noticed I was different. I was about the
same age as your children. I knew I walked with braces, but it never
really got in my head that something might be wrong or different.
Then one day I was walking into school and I saw my reflection in
the glass of the door. Don't know why I'd never noticed it before.
But, anyway, I was stunned. No wonder kids thought I was strange and
made fun of me.

Fortunately, at that early age my folks were very supportive of me
and any efforts I made to overcome my disability. When I learned to
speak I told my folks I'd learn to walk. They said I could do if I
wanted to. I did. The doctors still don't understand it today. My
orthopedist says I break every rule concerning walking that he knows.

My parents support changed as I got older and caused a lot of
confusion for me.

I think one of the best things a parent can do is strive to improve
their child's self image and be consistent.

I've learned that if I feel good about me, others will follow along.
I learned this the hard way. My folks never instilled in me a good
self image. I spent a lot of years--especially in my teens--trying
to not be handicapped. Silly, but I did. I thought if I could just
not be handicapped I'd feel better.

Finally, I realized it is what it is and I made the best of it. I
did things no one thought possible.

I learned to drive using hand controls at the age of 19. I studied
martial arts for three years from the age of 22 to 25.

I began working out in a gym--in 4 months time I increased my bench
press from 95 lbs to 205 lbs.

After various jobs in different fields, at the age of 28, I went to
work for a Fortune 500 company making more money than anyone in my
immediate family had ever made. Did that for ten years, until I
finally had to go on disability due to some problems related to SB.

I've spent the last 4 or 5 years recovering from some health issues
and may soon be back in the workforce. I have a job offer from a
friend who is unconcerned with the fact that my disability may cause
me to miss work at times.

I'm currently perusing a career as a novelist. Something I can do
from home and not have to worry about my health so much.

Children and adults may have limitations, but they aren't
limitations themselves. Something I had to learn on my own because
no one ever bothered to tell me.

If we teach our kids this, I think they'll be alright and overcome
SB. Will they struggle and have difficult times? Absolutely. I still
do. I'm not going to be able to go to church this morning because
I'm not feeling so great. Guess I didn't get my meds in me early
enough. I'll feel better later this afternoon and attend this
evening's service. The struggles and difficulties are not the end of
the world, not even a good start to the end of the world.

I'm gonna shut up now. I set out to write a simple note of
encouragement and I've about written a novel.

Can't help it. I'm a writer.

Hopefully, I've been an encouragement.

Todd Greene
http://www.toddmichaelgreene.com
http://anewnovelistsjourney.blogspot.com
http://messagesfromtheasylum.blogspot.com