This is Ronee' Le-Anne Reaux. I just read Johnny's story, and it gave me an idea to write about MY side of things. At times kids tease ME because I am disabled, too, and it really hurts me.
I may be disabled, but I am DEFINITELY NOT STUPID. I happen to be very smart!! I do very well in school, and I get A's in all of my classes.
You also see that I am on crutches. I have been on crutches since I was small, and I use crutches because I first was injured in an accident when I was a baby, and I had to learn to walk all over again; and then, when I was four, four-and-a-half, I started having joint pains. When I was five, I was told I had juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. This is the main reason behind my using crutches. I am NOT using crutches to gain attention. I use crutches because without them I CAN'T WALK. PERIOD.
I also wear leg braces on my legs. The one leg was damaged, and the other brace helps the knee on my other leg. I wear them to help me walk even better; the crutches just gives me an added boost, to help me walk better.
Okay. Now with my breathing. Most of you don't even know I have breathing problems unless I have an attack of asthma, or you see me using my inhaler. I have had asthma since I was little, and it is something I have had to learn to live--and deal--with. Having asthma and allergies is a giant drag at times, but I think I have done well, all things considering. I AM prone to attacks to where I have trouble breathing, and this is when I need support, not pity. Or people panicking; this just seems to upset me more and make me have worse problems. The key to handling my situation is to BE CALM. (Easier said than done, especially on MY part, as I am the one who is having the attack, NOT you!!)
Or kids tease me because I am short for my age. At nine-and-one-half years old, I look more like six. At nine and one-half I am still wearing 5T clothing!! I am shorter and much smaller than my classmates, and I sometimes get laughed at because I am not that fast as it is, and they laugh at me because I am way behind everyone else when we run or have races--and these danged crutches or braces certainly DON'T HELP!!!! Or they tell me to go to the kindergarten area because I am "too little" to be with "the big kids!" (I get SO MAD when they say that!!!)
I may be small, I may be disabled, and I may be gifted, but PLEASE DON'T TEASE ME, OKAY???? I am just like you, in a LOT OF WAYS, more like you than you may think!! I have feelings, I have desires, and I have wishes, too, just like you do. I also have the same dreams--okay, maybe NOT the same, but I still have dreams!--as you do, and I am just like you!! I love to play, I love to watch tv or listen to music, go shopping, or read, too!! I also love to be with my friends, and I love to go to new and exciting places!! I love learning about new things, and I love being on the computer!!
How would YOU like it if you were in MY shoes, for once??
Then you would see how much I have to struggle, and I bet you wouldn't like it ONE BIT!!
Oh. And another thing..I DON'T LIKE IT when you pick on my little brother, Johnny!! He is a person, too, and he can't help the way he is!! You also have to understand that he is dying, and if there is ONE thing he does NOT need, it's people picking on him!! I want him to BE HAPPY, NOT SAD!!!! How would YOU like it if YOU were Johnny?? How would you feel THEN????
**Written by Ronee' Le-Anne Reaux, Aged 9 1/2 years**
