CHARGE and Drivers License

[Guest guest]

I haven't heard too much about kids with CHARGE learning to drive. Of

course, I know there are hearing and vision issues, but some of the

more mild hearing and vision issues wouldn't necessarily impair

driving. Just curious if there is a possibility for a person with

CHARGE to drive at some point, or if there are people out there with

CHARGE who do drive.

B., mom to Zachary 5 years and Carmen 2 years (CHARGE)

[Guest guest]

B, is a young adult in his thirties who has CHARGE and who

drives. He lives independently in Northern California and has a job. He

has a truck he loves and also a boat! He is profoundly deaf but his vision

issues, if any, are mild. He presented at the Portland CHARGE conference in

1995.

Mom to Kendra, who has CHARGE and is in high school, , who is a

medical student, and Camille, who is a chef

CHARGE and Drivers License

>I haven't heard too much about kids with CHARGE learning to drive. Of

> course, I know there are hearing and vision issues, but some of the

> more mild hearing and vision issues wouldn't necessarily impair

> driving. Just curious if there is a possibility for a person with

> CHARGE to drive at some point, or if there are people out there with

> CHARGE who do drive.

>

> B., mom to Zachary 5 years and Carmen 2 years (CHARGE)

[Guest guest]

,

I actully know how to drive. But I started to test my driving skills when I

was 14 15 and 16, I know how to drive but now that I am living in a new state

they said i can not ever drive. So seince that lable deaf blind I never had my

licens but I do know how to drive.

Patty Haggerty, 21, CHARGE

---------------------------------

Stay in the know. Pulse on the new Yahoo.com. Check it out.

[Guest guest]

stupid lableing

>

> ,

> I actully know how to drive. But I started to test my driving skills when

> I was 14 15 and 16, I know how to drive but now that I am living in a new

> state they said i can not ever drive. So seince that lable deaf blind I

> never had my licens but I do know how to drive.

>

> Patty Haggerty, 21, CHARGE

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Stay in the know. Pulse on the new Yahoo.com <http://yahoo.com/>. Check it

> out.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Patty-

How do you feel about not being able to get your license? Is it

frustrating? Do you think they are wrong to deny you? Or do you agree that

your vision and hearing make it unwise to have drive? Just wondering how

this will be for Aubrie. If I project her forward right now - which is

inaccurate because I can't know which things will mature and which won't - I

have a hard time believing she will be a safe driver since she doesn't have

depth perception, can't tell how far away another vehicle is and if it's

approaching her, etc. Her motor skills seem too slow to respond quickly

enough in an emergency. Know what I mean? I don't want to limit her if it

turns out she's able. But I sort of don't know how to talk to her. Do we

talk as if we assume she'll drive, as if we assume she won't, or as if there

is some question to it?

This and being a mom are the 2 things I am not sure of. When we talk about

being a mom, it's more about being a foster parent because that's something

she wants to do. But I try not to ever talk about " when you have a baby

someday " . You know?? With my son, we have always talked about " someday

when you're a dad " and " someday when you drive " because it's a given (if he

chooses). But it's hard when nothing is a given. I sure don't want to set

her up with difficult or unrealistic expectations, but I don't want to limit

her either.

If you don't want to talk about it, that's fine. But I'd appreciate knowing

your feelings.

Michele W

_____

From: CHARGE [mailto:CHARGE ] On Behalf Of

Patty Haggerty

Sent: Saturday, September 09, 2006 6:18 AM

To: CHARGE

Subject: Re: CHARGE and Drivers License

,

I actully know how to drive. But I started to test my driving skills when I

was 14 15 and 16, I know how to drive but now that I am living in a new

state they said i can not ever drive. So seince that lable deaf blind I

never had my licens but I do know how to drive.

Patty Haggerty, 21, CHARGE

[Guest guest]

michelle about the mummy thing i remember twelling my teacher oen of my godo

teachers in the support unit we were talking bout sex and babies and all tha

stuff i said i cant ever have sex coz i dont have ovaries coz then we didnt

think i had any shes like um wel you can u just cant produce the baby LOL

that made em relise that its not that wa lol and as for driving the lable

doesnt stop me my physical vision loss does coz im to short to be able to

see over the dash board LOL hugs ellen

>

> Patty-

>

> How do you feel about not being able to get your license? Is it

> frustrating? Do you think they are wrong to deny you? Or do you agree that

> your vision and hearing make it unwise to have drive? Just wondering how

> this will be for Aubrie. If I project her forward right now - which is

> inaccurate because I can't know which things will mature and which won't -

> I

> have a hard time believing she will be a safe driver since she doesn't

> have

> depth perception, can't tell how far away another vehicle is and if it's

> approaching her, etc. Her motor skills seem too slow to respond quickly

> enough in an emergency. Know what I mean? I don't want to limit her if it

> turns out she's able. But I sort of don't know how to talk to her. Do we

> talk as if we assume she'll drive, as if we assume she won't, or as if

> there

> is some question to it?

>

> This and being a mom are the 2 things I am not sure of. When we talk about

> being a mom, it's more about being a foster parent because that's

> something

> she wants to do. But I try not to ever talk about " when you have a baby

> someday " . You know?? With my son, we have always talked about " someday

> when you're a dad " and " someday when you drive " because it's a given (if

> he

> chooses). But it's hard when nothing is a given. I sure don't want to set

> her up with difficult or unrealistic expectations, but I don't want to

> limit

> her either.

>

> If you don't want to talk about it, that's fine. But I'd appreciate

> knowing

> your feelings.

>

> Michele W

>

> _____

>

> From: CHARGE <CHARGE%40yahoogroups.com> [mailto:

> CHARGE <CHARGE%40yahoogroups.com>] On Behalf Of

> Patty Haggerty

> Sent: Saturday, September 09, 2006 6:18 AM

> To: CHARGE <CHARGE%40yahoogroups.com>

> Subject: Re: CHARGE and Drivers License

>

>

> ,

> I actully know how to drive. But I started to test my driving skills when

> I

> was 14 15 and 16, I know how to drive but now that I am living in a new

> state they said i can not ever drive. So seince that lable deaf blind I

> never had my licens but I do know how to drive.

>

> Patty Haggerty, 21, CHARGE

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Karlee took driver's education her sophomore year in high school. Because

she had an eye tick that was pretty severe at that time we did not have her

do the driving part (even thought the doctor did fill out the medical form

that said it was ok for her to drive) She did have her permit so we had her

drive with us. for lots of practice. Second semester of her junior year she

drove with the driver's ed teacher. This summer she did get her license.

We live in a rural area and so far have not let her drive in to a city (or

maybe I should say a large town with lots of stop lights) She drives to

school and to her dance practices, out to Grandma's, to town for errands,

and other short distances out here in rural America,

She does have a hearing loss so is not allowed to turn on the radio or play

cds while driving. (Mom's rule)

It is great for her to have some independence.

A little story...

One day I came home, pulled in the garage, shut off my car, but could still

hear the engine running (softly). I thought I had a big problem with my new

car. Well, what I discovered was that Karlee had pulled her car in the

garage and left it running. (She couldn't hear it and for some reason

forgot to shut it off)

Does it make me nervous when I watch her drive away by herself? Yes, but

I think that is the case for most parents with teenage drivers.

from IL (Karlee 18)

[Guest guest]

, Thanks for the story. I know it will be challenging if driving

is an option for Carmen, but it really helps me prepare for an openess

to this knowing that others with CHARGE can and do drive. I want that

for her if her vision and hearing aren't an issue. Right now she has

a very mild hearing loss (no hearing aids prescribed at this time) and

has light perception in her left eye with normal vision in her right

eye. I know there are a lot of people who drive who have vision in

one eye, so I was just curious about all of this. Typical mom, of

course--as Carmen is only 2 years old!!! Ha Ha! You know, when we

don't have something to worry about for that day, we'll just carry it

out a few years!

Thanks! B.

>

> Karlee took driver's education her sophomore year in high school.

Because

> she had an eye tick that was pretty severe at that time we did not

have her

> do the driving part (even thought the doctor did fill out the

medical form

> that said it was ok for her to drive) She did have her permit so we

had her

> drive with us. for lots of practice. Second semester of her junior

year she

> drove with the driver's ed teacher. This summer she did get her

license.

>

> We live in a rural area and so far have not let her drive in to a

city (or

> maybe I should say a large town with lots of stop lights) She

drives to

> school and to her dance practices, out to Grandma's, to town for

errands,

> and other short distances out here in rural America,

>

> She does have a hearing loss so is not allowed to turn on the radio

or play

> cds while driving. (Mom's rule)

>

> It is great for her to have some independence.

>

> A little story...

> One day I came home, pulled in the garage, shut off my car, but

could still

> hear the engine running (softly). I thought I had a big problem

with my new

> car. Well, what I discovered was that Karlee had pulled her car in the

> garage and left it running. (She couldn't hear it and for some reason

> forgot to shut it off)

>

> Does it make me nervous when I watch her drive away by herself?

Yes, but

> I think that is the case for most parents with teenage drivers.

>

> from IL (Karlee 18)

>

[Guest guest]

Michele,

These are the exact issues I'm trying to understand with our kids. I

took it for granted that people with CHARGE don't drive--and boy was I

wrong. I just don't ever want to limit Carmen's potential with my own

notions as to what she can do. I also often think about her having

children some day and how I've wanted to reserve a family members eggs

for her so that she can have them. My mind gets a little out there,

but I just want for her all the things that my son Zachary has the

option of having.

B. mom to Zachary 5 years and Carmen 2 years (CHARGE)

>

> Patty-

>

> How do you feel about not being able to get your license? Is it

> frustrating? Do you think they are wrong to deny you? Or do you

agree that

> your vision and hearing make it unwise to have drive? Just

wondering how

> this will be for Aubrie. If I project her forward right now - which is

> inaccurate because I can't know which things will mature and which

won't - I

> have a hard time believing she will be a safe driver since she

doesn't have

> depth perception, can't tell how far away another vehicle is and if it's

> approaching her, etc. Her motor skills seem too slow to respond quickly

> enough in an emergency. Know what I mean? I don't want to limit

her if it

> turns out she's able. But I sort of don't know how to talk to her.

Do we

> talk as if we assume she'll drive, as if we assume she won't, or as

if there

> is some question to it?

>

>

>

> This and being a mom are the 2 things I am not sure of. When we

talk about

> being a mom, it's more about being a foster parent because that's

something

> she wants to do. But I try not to ever talk about " when you have a baby

> someday " . You know?? With my son, we have always talked about " someday

> when you're a dad " and " someday when you drive " because it's a given

(if he

> chooses). But it's hard when nothing is a given. I sure don't want

to set

> her up with difficult or unrealistic expectations, but I don't want

to limit

> her either.

>

>

>

> If you don't want to talk about it, that's fine. But I'd appreciate

knowing

> your feelings.

>

>

>

> Michele W

>

>

>

> _____

>

> From: CHARGE [mailto:CHARGE ] On

Behalf Of

> Patty Haggerty

> Sent: Saturday, September 09, 2006 6:18 AM

> To: CHARGE

> Subject: Re: CHARGE and Drivers License

>

>

>

> ,

> I actully know how to drive. But I started to test my driving skills

when I

> was 14 15 and 16, I know how to drive but now that I am living in a new

> state they said i can not ever drive. So seince that lable deaf blind I

> never had my licens but I do know how to drive.

>

> Patty Haggerty, 21, CHARGE

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

>

> ,

> I actully know how to drive. But I started to test my driving

skills when I was 14 15 and 16, I know how to drive but now that I

am living in a new state they said i can not ever drive. So seince

that lable deaf blind I never had my licens but I do know how to

drive.

>

> Patty Haggerty, 21, CHARGE

i know you feel about the driving thing, at 14 i found i

coudlnt drive because of my labal deaf/blind but my step dad is

going to teach me anyway so i can pull hte cars up in our driveway,

sometimes i get jealous of my bro because he can go anywhere he

wants whenever he wants. I kinda dont like relying on other people

to take me places, its to much of an hassle.

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Stay in the know. Pulse on the new Yahoo.com. Check it out.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hey i am glad your daughter can drive she is one of the lucky

ones, iam 19 and still havnt gotten my license, i would like to meet

Karlee what is her e mail?

> >

> > Karlee took driver's education her sophomore year in high

school.

> Because

> > she had an eye tick that was pretty severe at that time we did

not

> have her

> > do the driving part (even thought the doctor did fill out the

> medical form

> > that said it was ok for her to drive) She did have her permit

so we

> had her

> > drive with us. for lots of practice. Second semester of her

junior

> year she

> > drove with the driver's ed teacher. This summer she did get her

> license.

> >

> > We live in a rural area and so far have not let her drive in to a

> city (or

> > maybe I should say a large town with lots of stop lights) She

> drives to

> > school and to her dance practices, out to Grandma's, to town for

> errands,

> > and other short distances out here in rural America,

> >

> > She does have a hearing loss so is not allowed to turn on the

radio

> or play

> > cds while driving. (Mom's rule)

> >

> > It is great for her to have some independence.

> >

> > A little story...

> > One day I came home, pulled in the garage, shut off my car, but

> could still

> > hear the engine running (softly). I thought I had a big problem

> with my new

> > car. Well, what I discovered was that Karlee had pulled her car

in the

> > garage and left it running. (She couldn't hear it and for some

reason

> > forgot to shut it off)

> >

> > Does it make me nervous when I watch her drive away by

herself?

> Yes, but

> > I think that is the case for most parents with teenage drivers.

> >

> > from IL (Karlee 18)

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Vision qualifications for an unrestricted driver's license vary from state to

state. For many of them (and Washington is one), you just need to have 20/40 or

better vision in one eye. If you have to use glasses to obtain this level of

vision, then a corrective lens restriction will be noted on the card. A few

states have requirements for visual fields (peripheral vision), but not very

many. Probably at some point in the future (and this will be dependant on when

the technology to test it becomes cheap enough), peripheral vision requirements

will be more common. For now, the only time the DMV requests this information

is when they send someone to the eye doctors to fill out the form.

Even if you can't qualify for an unrestricted license based on vision, you can

still get a restricted one. In CA for example, a person with visual impairment

to the 20/200 level can get a restricted license. It involves some additional

paperwork (a doctor assessment that the person is OK to drive) and a driving

test. The limitations can be daytime only or it can be a certain mile radius

from home (to insure driving in familiar areas only).

Before you get too nervous about knowing there are people who can't see very

well driving, know that the 20/40 requirement mostly insures being able to see

the signs on the side of the road (bioptic telescopes can be used for that

part). The main task of driving and avoiding hazards does not require a high

level of acuity.

In addition to a bioptic telescope, other adaptations include wide angle

mirrors to compensate for field loss or vision loss in one eye and just ensuring

the person is aware of their limitations so they can incorporate more head

turning and scanning their blind spots (which will be larger than someone with

normal vision).

I am only addressing the " vision " aspect of things, and someone with combined

hearing and vision loss may not be safe to drive at a these same vision levels.

If there is uncontrolled seizure activity, they won't be able to drive based on

that. As the parent, you are in the best position to make the decision when the

time comes. And it's difficult to " crystal ball " it and know if they will or

they won't. But I would say if they have a reasonable amount of vision now

20/40-20/100 range, don't rule out driving based just on what they can see.

(mom to Evan 13.5 months)

wrote:

, Thanks for the story. I know it will be challenging if driving

is an option for Carmen, but it really helps me prepare for an openess

to this knowing that others with CHARGE can and do drive. I want that

for her if her vision and hearing aren't an issue. Right now she has

a very mild hearing loss (no hearing aids prescribed at this time) and

has light perception in her left eye with normal vision in her right

eye. I know there are a lot of people who drive who have vision in

one eye, so I was just curious about all of this. Typical mom, of

course--as Carmen is only 2 years old!!! Ha Ha! You know, when we

don't have something to worry about for that day, we'll just carry it

out a few years!

Thanks! B.

>

> Karlee took driver's education her sophomore year in high school.

Because

> she had an eye tick that was pretty severe at that time we did not

have her

> do the driving part (even thought the doctor did fill out the

medical form

> that said it was ok for her to drive) She did have her permit so we

had her

> drive with us. for lots of practice. Second semester of her junior

year she

> drove with the driver's ed teacher. This summer she did get her

license.

>

> We live in a rural area and so far have not let her drive in to a

city (or

> maybe I should say a large town with lots of stop lights) She

drives to

> school and to her dance practices, out to Grandma's, to town for

errands,

> and other short distances out here in rural America,

>

> She does have a hearing loss so is not allowed to turn on the radio

or play

> cds while driving. (Mom's rule)

>

> It is great for her to have some independence.

>

> A little story...

> One day I came home, pulled in the garage, shut off my car, but

could still

> hear the engine running (softly). I thought I had a big problem

with my new

> car. Well, what I discovered was that Karlee had pulled her car in the

> garage and left it running. (She couldn't hear it and for some reason

> forgot to shut it off)

>

> Does it make me nervous when I watch her drive away by herself?

Yes, but

> I think that is the case for most parents with teenage drivers.

>

> from IL (Karlee 18)

>

---------------------------------

Get your email and more, right on the new Yahoo.com

[Guest guest]

Visual field testing should be a must.

I have driven a go cart on a race coarce. That was FUN!!!

Chantelle

--

My spelling's kinda wobbly. It's good spelling but the letters wobble and

end up in the wrong places. - Winnie the Pooh

[Guest guest]

Ellen-

Yours is a cute story. Now that my son is a teenager, I'd love it if both

my kids thought that it was not possible to have sex. They could discover

the truth, oh, when their 30 or so.

Michele W

_____

From: CHARGE [mailto:CHARGE ] On Behalf Of

ellen howe

Sent: Saturday, September 09, 2006 6:52 AM

To: CHARGE

Subject: Re: CHARGE and Drivers License

michelle about the mummy thing i remember twelling my teacher oen of my godo

teachers in the support unit we were talking bout sex and babies and all tha

stuff i said i cant ever have sex coz i dont have ovaries coz then we didnt

think i had any shes like um wel you can u just cant produce the baby LOL

that made em relise that its not that wa lol and as for driving the lable

doesnt stop me my physical vision loss does coz im to short to be able to

see over the dash board LOL hugs ellen

On 09/09/06, Michele Westmaas <momonamission@

<mailto:momonamission%40verizon.net> verizon.net> wrote:

>

> Patty-

>

> How do you feel about not being able to get your license? Is it

> frustrating? Do you think they are wrong to deny you? Or do you agree that

> your vision and hearing make it unwise to have drive? Just wondering how

> this will be for Aubrie. If I project her forward right now - which is

> inaccurate because I can't know which things will mature and which won't -

> I

> have a hard time believing she will be a safe driver since she doesn't

> have

> depth perception, can't tell how far away another vehicle is and if it's

> approaching her, etc. Her motor skills seem too slow to respond quickly

> enough in an emergency. Know what I mean? I don't want to limit her if it

> turns out she's able. But I sort of don't know how to talk to her. Do we

> talk as if we assume she'll drive, as if we assume she won't, or as if

> there

> is some question to it?

>

> This and being a mom are the 2 things I am not sure of. When we talk about

> being a mom, it's more about being a foster parent because that's

> something

> she wants to do. But I try not to ever talk about " when you have a baby

> someday " . You know?? With my son, we have always talked about " someday

> when you're a dad " and " someday when you drive " because it's a given (if

> he

> chooses). But it's hard when nothing is a given. I sure don't want to set

> her up with difficult or unrealistic expectations, but I don't want to

> limit

> her either.

>

> If you don't want to talk about it, that's fine. But I'd appreciate

> knowing

> your feelings.

>

> Michele W

>

> _____

>

> From: CHARGE (AT) yahoogroups (DOT) <mailto:CHARGE%40yahoogroups.com> com

<CHARGE%40yahoogroups.com> [mailto:

> CHARGE (AT) yahoogroups (DOT) <mailto:CHARGE%40yahoogroups.com> com

<CHARGE%40yahoogroups.com>] On Behalf Of

> Patty Haggerty

> Sent: Saturday, September 09, 2006 6:18 AM

> To: CHARGE (AT) yahoogroups (DOT) <mailto:CHARGE%40yahoogroups.com> com

<CHARGE%40yahoogroups.com>

> Subject: Re: CHARGE and Drivers License

>

>

> ,

> I actully know how to drive. But I started to test my driving skills when

> I

> was 14 15 and 16, I know how to drive but now that I am living in a new

> state they said i can not ever drive. So seince that lable deaf blind I

> never had my licens but I do know how to drive.

>

> Patty Haggerty, 21, CHARGE

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

B-

Sometimes I think it's a luxury when we have the time to worry about things

so far in the future. It means we're not overdone with huge issues right

now, right? I guess for now I'm trying to keep Aubrie's options open

without setting her up for disappointment. She's able to comprehend that

she may be able to drive but might not depending on how her vision and

hearing are at that point. The baby thing is harder since it involves the

big discussions about sexuality that we haven't had yet - she's only 8. I

had never thought of preserving family member's eggs for her - but she has

no female sibs and only one female cousin so it may not be a real

possibility. Hmmm..

Michele W

[Guest guest]

I am useing my moms computer so I am going to answer form her computer. I

dont feel bad about not haveing my Licence sometimes but than other times I feel

I can be more independent even without my licens. No I dont think they were

wrong denying me and not only that mom does not want me to drive because in MA

theres alot of crazy drivers out here so ha no problem there! About the

questing about sex part? well Lets just say I am more experance than other

people

with disablitys, But me I know once I do get marryed I cant have kids because it

is genetic that my child will have charge worse than me, as matter of fact I

dont want to have kids because my job will requier travel and I do want to

travel so I dont want my Kid to grow up with out a mom. I love kids there are

tons

of kids in my family. Even though I am not going to have kids does not mean I

dont like kids its just that I dont want to have my kids grow up with out a

mom that would hurt me to much and the kid to much I would want no child to go

through that.

Patty Haggerty 21 CHARGE

[Guest guest]

Ellen Patty didnt say it was her label that she couldnt drive, fshe cant see

well enough to drive so its fair enough....not stupid....

>

> B-

>

> Sometimes I think it's a luxury when we have the time to worry about

> things

> so far in the future. It means we're not overdone with huge issues right

> now, right? I guess for now I'm trying to keep Aubrie's options open

> without setting her up for disappointment. She's able to comprehend that

> she may be able to drive but might not depending on how her vision and

> hearing are at that point. The baby thing is harder since it involves the

> big discussions about sexuality that we haven't had yet - she's only 8. I

> had never thought of preserving family member's eggs for her - but she has

> no female sibs and only one female cousin so it may not be a real

> possibility. Hmmm..

>

> Michele W

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

There is an adult CHARGer in Sydney i think who can drive....

but ive heard bad things about him...

[Guest guest]

Chantel

I know I will get marryed one day. But a man and a woman needs to work to

gether they really work as a team. When I get marryed my Husband will help me

and

I help him. I know that guys like me but I learnd to like myself first and

then one day the one for me will come along. But not now because I am doing my

Education first now I have leard that my work and my education comes first and

I do know one day chantell when your not looking for a man he will come to

you. Belive me I would know I leard form the best. I have leard that you dont

need a man in your life to make you happy you need to be happy with in yourself.

Chantel that took me years up till now! its been a year seince I leard I dont

need anyone I just am happy with life and thats all I can ask for right now.

Did that help you any?? take care!

Patty Haggerty 21 CHARGE

[Guest guest]

oops bel read it wrong LOL oh well

>

> There is an adult CHARGer in Sydney i think who can drive....

>

> but ive heard bad things about him...

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Id love to have kids one day.. But i just dont think it is going to

happen....Im working on getting my bro and sister to both have lots of kids

instead

I know i could have kids if i wanted to but would need to have help, it does

make me sad sometimes that i cant have kids..but oh well...i have some other

htings to say but dont really want to say it here....

Regards to driving, it doesnt bother me that much because i get free public

transport

[Guest guest]

I work with kids so I dont really want kids of my own at this time. Besides

Id never find a guy that would want me who would allow me to be me where i

didnt have to be some submissive wife that does all the homemaking stuff. Im

not the kind to be submissive. I wouldnt react well to someone trying to

change me. I am trying to learn to like myself so a guy would have to do the

same... like who i am not excpect me to change. My dad says when you get

married you have to do what the husband says. I tell him to stuff it. But i

dont have any good male roll modles nor did i when i was a kid so I dont

know how to act in front of men. Heck i dont even know how to act in front

of friends at times. Im getting better though.

Chantelle

--

My spelling's kinda wobbly. It's good spelling but the letters wobble and

end up in the wrong places. - Winnie the Pooh

[Guest guest]

Patty-

Thanks for sharing on such personal subjects. I think/hope that Aubrie will

also understand if she is unable to drive. It worries me to have her on the

road if all things remain the same. Heck - I don't even like the idea of

her big brother driving next year :-)

As far as parenting, it seems like she'll have so much going on just caring

for her own needs that having her own child would be an unwise choice.

However, if she has a good spouse and they want to be foster parents or

something, I know she'll have lots of love and guidance to share. So we'll

see how it goes. I imagine her being the same - loving kids as she does now

but not having her own for many reasons.

Michele W

[Guest guest]

Belinda-

I know these are very personal topics and I appreciate you're sharing.

Someday, each of us will need to have these personal discussions with our

kids and it helps to have some roadmap for the future from you guys ahead of

us.

Michele W

_____

From: CHARGE [mailto:CHARGE ] On Behalf Of

_Belinda _

Sent: Sunday, September 10, 2006 6:43 AM

To: CHARGE

Subject: Re: CHARGE and Drivers License

Id love to have kids one day.. But i just dont think it is going to

happen....Im working on getting my bro and sister to both have lots of kids

instead

I know i could have kids if i wanted to but would need to have help, it does

make me sad sometimes that i cant have kids..but oh well...i have some other

htings to say but dont really want to say it here....

Regards to driving, it doesnt bother me that much because i get free public

transport

[Guest guest]

Chantelle-

You hold on to that independent spirit! No - you don't have to be

submissive to have a successful marriage. When you meet the right partner,

he'll accept you in all of your good and bad, you'll do the same for him,

and you will be equal partners in your life together. Never mind your dad's

old-fashioned ideas.

Michele W

Aubrie's mom