A disabled child writes of her innermost feelings about others' reactions towards her, and how she feels about her disabilities.
I am a kid, but I also happen to be a kid who is "different". That is, I am not like a lot of kids you see on television.
Most of the time, you see kids on tv, and they are running around or jumping and having fun; and all seems right with the world. But when you see kids in real life, you will soon see that not ALL kids fit that image. Like me, as an example.
I happen to be "different". I happen to be physically handicapped. I was born with problems, and I got more problems as I got older. I usually walk on crutches and leg braces on both my legs, and I sometimes use a wheelchair because I have juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, which was diagnosed when I was five (although I started having the first symptoms at the age of four). Because of my JRA, I am often in a lot of pain, and at times, getting around is very hard for me. In addition, I have asthma and allergies, and I sometimes have problems breathing (but I am glad to say that is FINALLY starting to get better as I get older!).
Because of the fact that I AM on crutches or wear leg braces (or use a wheelchair at times), I am often the subject of stares or comments from others. People will say things like, "Aww, you poor little thing!", or they will say things like, "You are such a brave and courageous little girl!" Or they will stare like I am some sort of yucky bug; and I end up getting all uncomfortable and embarrassed. Or they will ask me if they can help me when I really don't NEED any help AT all! If I need help, I will most certainly ask for it, but NOT until then! I am capable of doing things for myself; I am NOT a baby! I am ten years old; I am old enough to take care of myself!
Just because I happen to be disabled DOESN'T mean that I am STUPID! I happen to be very smart! I know when people are being fake towards me or know when they are being condescending towards me, and I DON'T like it AT all! All I ever ask out of life is people to treat me NORMALLY, like any other kid and FORGET about my damn crutches or being handicapped! How would they like it if THEY were in my shoes, and I did the same thing to them?? I bet they wouldn't like it ONE bit! In fact, I happen to KNOW they wouldn't!
You can tell I am mad. Well, I AM! I caught kids today who staring at me at the mall, and I heard them make comments about me. As a result, I am upset, and this is one of those times where I wish I WASN'T handicapped! I wish I could run around or play sports like most kids; I DON'T like being on my crutches or wearing these damned leg braces on my legs! They pinch me sometimes, and they can rub sores on my legs if they don't fit right, and I don't like fooling around with them each and every day! And my crutches are nothing but a big pain in the ass! I am always tripping over them, or I have to have someone else carry my things because trying to carry my stuff with my crutches is next to IMPOSSIBLE at times!
I know there is a reason for my being this way, but does it have to be so DAMNED hard each and EVERY day?? I don't know if I can take anymore of all the stares, cooments, or whatever; they are about to drive me CRAZY!!
I think I had better stop while I am ahead. I have already cursed a few times in this, and if my maman sees it or finds out that I have been using bad language, I will have to owe her money. I so far have said the "D word" 3 times, and I also said the "A word" once; and both words would cost me a dollar. So now I would owe my maman and the cuss jar $4 for my swearing! :( I would also have to ask Jesus for forgiveness because saying bad words is a sin, and I don't want that on my record when I get to Heaven! So I have to repent and ask for His forgiveness!
I also have to stop because I am crying too hard, and I am having one of "those days". One of those days where I am feeling sorry for myself, even though I KNOW there are lots of people who have it FAR worse than I will EVER have it! So please excuse me!
When vacationing at a mysterious Maine lighthouse, ten-year-old Dylan befriends a ghostly lighthouse keeper who must protect Dylan from danger after he learns a very big secret.
