Johnny, a little boy in a wheelchair due to muscular dystrophy, writes of a new kid who moved to his neighborhood. The new kid is a little girl of ten, and she moved from Chattanooga over the weekend.
I am getting to be a very happy little boy nowadays. I have made a lot of friends, especially since I have switched schools. At my old school, I was always the butt of jokes; and now, here at Morningside, I have many friends who like me for who I am inside!
For years, it seemed that people always picked on me because I am in a wheelchair and can't walk very well. (When I DO walk, I use crutches. I also wear leg braces on my legs.) I am in a wheelchair because I have Duchenne's. Duchenne's is the worst type of muscular dystrophy, and it hits only boys. Girls can't get it. If they do, it is a VERY rare thing.
Because of my muscular dystrophy, my muscles are becoming weak. MD destroys the muscles, and it makes them grow weak. Not much can be done to prevent this from happening, and eventually, I will be bedridden, unable to do anything for myself, and I will need help with my breathing. And then I will be so weakened even a cold could kill me.
But for now, I can get around, even if it IS by wheelchair (or by crutches)! I try not to think of this, of my dying, but it is never far from the back of my mind.
I try to live my life as a normal little boy who just happens to be in a wheelchair; but it isn't easy. I am always dropping things, or I can't reach things; and I often need help. But that is okay. At least I have people who can help me. And of course, I have "Ginger", who acts as my legs and helps me when I drop things or tries to cheer me up by licking my face and making me feel better in the process.
The worst thing about being in a wheelchair (or on crutches) is when people stare at me. Or say things that hurt me. But I try not to let it bother me; but I sometimes can't help myself. There are days where I get upset or cry.
But lately, things have been very good for me.
Oh, I still have my problems (I had another seizure over the weekend; I have them from time to time), but I am happy because I have another friend. I met her two days ago after school. There was a moving van at the house a few doors down (across the street), and I happened to see a kid standing there on the porch. The kid was a little girl, and she was really pretty. She looked about my age, and she had long, curly blonde hair and was rather pudgy. Well, I met her later on (she came over with her mother), and her name is Jamie-Leigh. She said she was ten, that she moved from Chattanooga, and that she wanted to be my friend. Just like that!
Most people, when they first see me, are afraid of me. They seem to be afraid because I am in a wheelchair and wear braces on my legs. I also sometimes wear oxygen when my breathing is acting up. They act scared, and they see my "equipment" instead of me, and that really makes me mad.
But not Jamie-Leigh. She just came up to me, smiled, and said, "Hi! My name is Jamie-Leigh! What's your'n?" She seemed really nice!
So now I have a new friend. I also have my first friend who is a girl. I usually don't like girls (excepting for my sisters, but then, I HAVE to like them!! :) ), but Jamie-Leigh seems different. She doesn't act all "girly" or talk about dresses or dolls, like a lot of girls; she likes to talk about music or her family. Jamie-Leigh is the youngest of her family, and she has three brothers (Jordan-12, Jeremiah-14, and Joshua-17), as well as a dog named "Spike". She also loves country music, she said, and she wants to be a country star. She also told me her favorite singer is Loretta Lynn.
(That ought to make Ronee' happy! Ronee' loves Loretta Lynn, too! :) )
Boy. For a girl, Jamie-Leigh sure does talk a lot! (Little girls seem to do that! That is one reason why I am not fond of most girls; they drive me NUTS with their chatterings!)
precious...now if other kids and adults could accept individuals with disabilities, or people who are "different", as people first, we'd all be a whole lot better off...beautiful message! (((HUGS))) and *applause* well done! love, karla. :)
Dazzeland is a place where the Citrons live and the sky shimmers with endless hues and the air is filled with the scent of Citrus and fruity scents.These small lively fruity beings depend on the Life Source of a mysterious combination of water an
