Ellen,
I truly think it makes a difference. Someone who was born with a debilitating disease never really knows the difference (my opinion). All the know is waking up to a wheelchair or being bedridden.
As for me, I spent the first 18 years of life walking, running, being extremely athletic (track, cross-country, softball, volleyball, basketball and cheerleader), dancing, going up / down stairs. I knew what is what like being able to type with all 10 fingers, pinching my boyfriend in bed with my toes, getting up to go pee when I needed too, taking a !
long hot
shower or bath (easier to have companion without shower chair in way) etc. When I was injured it took it all away. I know what I am missing. Is that making sense?
The thing I miss the most is carrying my son around with me on errands or when I went running (he was then under 5 months old). Now at almost 8 I want to teach him to play baseball like I did, take his karate classes with him. I know what I am missing.
Sincerely,
Amye
Ellen Jones <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Hi, my name is Ellen and I have a quick question that might seem a
little off topic, but I'm curious. Do any of you that became quads
"suddenly" (accident, etc.) think there's a difference between how you
approach your life and how someone whose acquired their condition
gradually looks at things? I am not a quad myself, but I'm an
undergraduate anthropology student researching the importance of
listservs as sources of support and I'm curious about how people might
(or might not) consider the ways in which people acquired their
condition... any answer would be great!
take care
