I don't know why people don't want to be my friend.

I didn't ask to be born like this.  

I was born with something called cerebral palsy.  Because of it, I cannot walk without crutches, or I use a wheelchair (like when I go to school or to the mall; it's a lot easier for me).  I also have trouble talking and don't move around well.  

My name is Timothy Ryan.  I am eight years old and am gonna be in third grade.  I won't be suruprised if people tease me this coming school year.  Seems ever since I started school, people tease me and make me cry.  I don't know why people have to be so mean to me!  I didn't do anything to them!  Why should they tease me and call me terrible names??

If I get teased this school year, I am gonna beg Mommy and Daddy to homeschool me.  I can't put up with the teasing much longer.  I get horrible stomach aches and headaches just thinking about the kids at school or their teasing me like they do!

Even the neighborhood kids are mean to me.  They won't let me join in their games or go to the pool or anything.  I just have to sit there, on the sidelines, being bored, or sad because nobody seems to want me around.

Do I smell funny?  Do I stink?  Do I have my clothes on backwards?  Is my underwear dirty or sticking out of my pants?  Do I have bugs?  Does my breath stink?  (I brush my teeth every day!)  I'm sorry I am the way I am; I can't help it!  It's the way God made me!

I wish summer vacation could go on forever and ever!  That way, I wouldn't put up with people.  Why, I wish I could find a big, dark cave so I could move in there and hide away from people forever and ever!

~Timothy Ryan.  :(