RE: My Heart Broke ... Won't be the last time I'm sure

[Guest guest]

Kay,

Children can be so cruel to other children, but so can adults. My Cody is also

4 1/2 and lost his hearing in his left ear during surgery in November after a

growth in his ear severed 2 of the 3 bones in the middle ear. We had more

problems with the ADULTS at his school than any of the children though. I told

Cody's teacher not to even talk to me one day because she had me sooooo upset.

I won't allow the health aid to even see him if he has an ear related issue.

They are to call me immediately.

I have learned that Cody has adjusted to his hearing loss far better than I

have. He tells others when they need to look at him so he can hear them and

will even ask them to talk softer because he can't understand them when they

talk loud. You son will learn to defend himself against all the monsters in

this world who don't understand his use of HAs. In the mean time, I understand

your heart breaking.

Dawn

-------------- Original message ----------------------

[Guest guest]

Hi Kay - although I have not had any experience with hearing aids

(yet) since k just got his yesterday, I have way too much

experience with this type of situation in general since k has

Down

syndrome. My fellow ds-list mates and I have had much discussion on

how to handle these types of situations. The ones that are perhaps

most difficult are the ones you describe, where nothing really

happened, but you know they were up to no good.

The way I tend to handle it is to engage the kids anyway. I might

have

said something in a non-confrontational way such as, " I see you

noticed

's hearing aides - do you have a friend with aids? " or " Do you

have any questions? "

I am hesistant to say anything even along the lines of nasty for a

few

reasons. Because we live in a small town, *everyone* knows someone

who

knows k or his sisters, etc. My husband runs the recreation

program in town and my older daughter just graduated high school,

being

very involved with most sports. I always fear that I might be

misinterpreting someone's whispers about k as nasty when in

reality

they just are wondering *if* that is k, or they might be laughing

becuase he is so cute or funny. It is not unusual for kids outside

of town in different venues to look and whisper (I find little girls

realllllly good at this!) - when I notice it I just say, " Oh, do you

know k, or do you just have questions about Down syndrome? "

Sometimes if k is drawing attention to himself and other kids are

in close proximity, I might engage them in general conversation -

asking them where they go to school, or what grade they are in. It

allows them to realize that I see them watching, it usually stops

them from continuing, and it opens the door for communication.

Along the way, especially in a small town, we have opportunities to

make many friends. I'd rather teach people that it's OK to

acknowledge differences in an appropriate way, and not shut down

communication. Having some key phrases ready for these types of

situations allows us to do that.

Good luck -

Sandy - Mom to k (almost 11, DS and now H/As)

> I know kids will be kids but geez!

> I wasn't ready for it. The boys really didn't even do anything so

I

> didn't think it was appropriate to give them a friendly little

> lesson on hearing loss and HAs ;-) I didn't say anything to the

> boys but I could sure feel my blood pressure just boiling. At what

> or whom exactly I was mad at I'm not sure.

[Guest guest]

Kay,

Hadley is 4 1/2 years old just like , but has been wearing

hearing aids for 4 years (exactly today!) for her severe bilateral loss.

From early on, we've modeled to her how to show her aids to other

people, how to explain what they do, explain what her straps are, etc.

Most importantly, we've modeled how OK it is for her to wear hearing

aids.

Like 's friends, the kids in Hadley's 4-5 year old preschool

class just don't care about her hearing aids (since they are 4 and 5 and

the world revolves around them, not others!). There are times when

older kids might stare at them and, if I happen to catch their eye or if

Hadley notices them, she shows them off (emphasis on shows them off). I

don't worry about running down every kid who might glance at them; I've

learned that most of the kids either know they are hearing aids and want

a closer look or think they are some new iPod-like technology that they

don't know about!

Sure, there are times when I'll see older kids point out Hadley;

sometimes it will be because of her aids or the fact that she is

blissfully singing in the grocery store or throwing a fit because she's

not getting her way or just being 4 1/2. If I think Hadley is at risk

because of someone's attention, I'll make my presence known (I'm the

daughter of two principals, so I've mastered quite an effective

authoritative tone!). But, my actions are based on the fact that

someone older is about to put my child at risk, not because she is a kid

who wears hearing aids.

And that's really the key for me: Hadley is a kid first and foremost in

my mind. I model for her how to handle different situations, a few of

which include dealing with her hearing aids. She doesn't make a big

deal about them, and neither do I. As a result, she handles answering

questions about her aids in school and we opt not to do a lesson in her

class about them (the way I see it, every family could be coming in to

school to do 20 minutes every year on " how to be a better friend to

X/why child X is different " ). I focus my energy on making sure that

Hadley is able to handle herself; not every kid is going to like her,

not every kid is going to be nice to her, and that's ok. She can learn

from those experiences-- and hopefully, it will make her think twice if

she's in the position of picking on someone else.

Don't get me wrong: I despise seeing Hadley at the receiving end of

these incidents and there are times when I would love to rant and rage

at the instigators, tell the parents how awful they are, and blast their

whole ancestry! But I let her handle the smaller battles on her own so

she can have the confidence to handle any nastier ones that come her way

later on.

Good luck,

Kerry

My Heart Broke ... Won't be the last time I'm sure

Hi Everyone ~

I don't post all that often but I read the posts here daily. I am

so happy I found this site as this group is so knowledgable and

supportive. Anyway, my 4-1/2 year old son, , was diagnosed

last summer with a mild/moderate hearing loss. He got his HAs on

July 29, 2005. His audiologist visted his daycare class right

before he got his hearing aids to explain to the kids that

doesn't hear as well as they do and that he would be wearing HAs

very soon to help him hear better. She brought a couple of books to

share with the kids one of which was " Oliver Gets Hearing Aids " (may

not have the correct title but it's the one Phonak puts out) and

some other age appropriate items to help them better understand

hearing loss and I guess even a hearing aid. His daycare teachers

were very pleased with how she did this and the kids were very

receptive. It was a great experience for , his teachers and

his friends. When wore his HAs to " school " the first day,

his teacher told me that the kids were very interested in what Griff

had in his ears. That lasted all of 10 minutes or so and then ...

it was kind of like 'big deal, it's just '. Cool! So the

kids in his class - and the rest of the daycare - were very used to

seeing him with his HAs and nothing changed with their attitudes

towards him. (His teachers did tell me that there was one " friend "

in Griff's class that on a couple of occassions tried to pull

's HA clip off the back of his shirt. While the teachers did

have a chat with the " friend " about this behavior they were proud of

for standing up for himself. They said that was

very vocal when this was happening by telling the boy to " STOP

BOTHERING MY HEARING AID CLIP!!!!! " They said this usually stopped

the boy in his tracks and it also caused ALL the other friends to

stop what they were doing and check to see who was bothering

. That was several months ago and I haven't heard that this

is.) :>

Anyways... last Friday the elementary school where my DH works was

having a carnival and and I went. Griff was having so much

fun taking in the different activities they had set up for kids pre- k

thru 5th grade such as bean bag toss, face painting, rock climbing

wall ... well you get the idea. So some of the 5th grade girls were

making things out of balloons for the kids and wanted a

puppy. So I stood off to the side while he waited in the long line

very patiently until it was his turn. Oh, he was excited! :> He

was really close to the front of the line when these two 5th grade

boys decided to cut in line (which just so happened to be right

behind ) to " flirt " with the girls in charge of the balloons

(ah, young love...). The girls played along at first then they got

back to business finishing up balloons. I happened to glance over

towards Griff because he was so close to being next when I saw one

of the boys looking at the cords to 's HAs. He jabbed his

friend in the ribs and then pointed at 's cords. Then they

noticed the HAs.... They whispered to each other and then the first

boy just so happens to look up and sees me looking at him. His

friend made like he was going to do something to the cords but the

first boy stopped him and kind of said something out of the side of

his mouth. The second boy looks over and sees me and this puts an

end to whatever might have happened next. Could very well have been

that they weren't going to do anything really but it just broke my

heart.

Nothing like this has happend before when I've been around (and

and do A LOT together). I know kids will be kids but geez!

I wasn't ready for it. The boys really didn't even do anything so I

didn't think it was appropriate to give them a friendly little

lesson on hearing loss and HAs ;-) I didn't say anything to the

boys but I could sure feel my blood pressure just boiling. At what

or whom exactly I was mad at I'm not sure. Maybe myself because I

came to realize in that moment of time that because there hadn't

been any major issues at daycare with other kids bothering him about

his HAs I was living in this la-la world with " rose colored glasses "

on that all was great, all is good in 's world of hearing

loss. Call me naive. The mother in me wants to protect my son

from " harsh world " . I'm quite sure that will do a very good

job on his own as he get older when he's faced with this type of

thing. And really, these boys didn't even do anything actually and

I'm sure there could be worse things done and/or said.

I'm curious what types of thing any of you have witnessed and how

you or your child handled -- if at all.

Boy, I feel better already by just being able to write this here.

~ Kay

Mom to (My Deere Boy) 4-1/2 years old -- Mild/Moderate

Hearing Loss

[Guest guest]

Hi Kay,

We haven't really had this problem yet, not with the hearing aid or the fact

that Geoffrey uses some sign language.

When he switched pre-schools the kids in his class asked questions about what

I was putting in his ear (Geoffrey doesn't wear his aid in the truck because he

tends to take it off, take it apart, and throw pieces). So, I explained to them

what it is and why Geoffrey needs it on the first and a couple of times since

but they don't treat him any differently than anyone else in the class.

Now, when he was a baby and was on oxygen (he was premature and was on oxygen

until he was 8 months old), we got all kinds of comments. The adults were

always worse than the kids. The kids would ask what that was in his nose and

why it was there. Adults would just make horrible comments, ask what I did

while pregnant to have such a sick baby, tell their children they shouldn't

stare at people that are going to die soon, or the ones that would ask and when

I told them he was premature they would say I should have let him die like God

wanted him to.

I have to agree with Sandy. You just have to have some key phrases to open

the communication. Don't be nasty about it, and I know that can be hard at

times.

My Yahoo 360 --> http://360.yahoo.com/lbshaw72432

My webshot albums --> http://community.webshots.com/user/beth_0381

Geoffrey's Baby Book at BabyZone

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

Blab-away for as little as 1¢/min. Make PC-to-Phone Calls using Yahoo!

Messenger with Voice.

[Guest guest]

Kay

I agree with the advice of both the moms who responded to you so

far; the kids may have just been noticing the aids and probably

dont' know a whole lot about them. Once in Target in Camarillo, CA,

where we moved from in late 2004, two little girls were following

me, Hayley and her sister around the store. I finally did turn to

them and talked to them about Hayley being deaf and sign language.

Their mom was happy to have somebody be open with them instead of

being short. Like it or not, I think it is sort of our other job to

educate whoever we can. And yes, the adults, I have found, are

often worse. The kids just want to know what's going on. I was more

comfortable in CA than here in PA because it was a community where

we knew everyone - here in PA Hayley goes to residential school, so

we just don't hang out during the week like we used to. So it is

new for us to get stared at here, because people got used to US on

the other coast. If you make it approachable for kids, then

everything will be okay.

Good luck!

> I have to agree with Sandy. You just have to have some key

phrases to open the communication. Don't be nasty about it, and I

know that can be hard at times.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks to ALL of you that responded to my post. I appreciate the experiences,

advice and support from each of you.

Another part that I was thinking about was all kids at sometime in their life

get picked on don't they? That's part (unfortunately) of growing up. I want

to be able to stand up for himself but without being a bully about it.

I am glad that got his HAs now at such at such a young age so that he'll

be more used to them and they'll be more part of him and who he is. I tell ya,

I've seen him in action a time or two when some child was doing something or

other to him and he didn't like it. He was loud and clear about what he

disliked.

Jill - I LOVED your Ian story about the slide which went something like " My

name is Ian not little shit -- and it was my turn! " Love it, love it, love it!!

Thank you for sharing that.

Again, thank you all!

~ Kay

Mom to (My Deere Boy) 4-1/2 years old -- Mild/Moderate Hearing

Loss

Kay wrote:

Hi Everyone ~

I don't post all that often but I read the posts here daily. I am

so happy I found this site as this group is so knowledgable and

supportive. Anyway, my 4-1/2 year old son, , was diagnosed

last summer with a mild/moderate hearing loss. He got his HAs on

July 29, 2005. His audiologist visted his daycare class right

before he got his hearing aids to explain to the kids that

doesn't hear as well as they do and that he would be wearing HAs

very soon to help him hear better. She brought a couple of books to

share with the kids one of which was " Oliver Gets Hearing Aids " (may

not have the correct title but it's the one Phonak puts out) and

some other age appropriate items to help them better understand

hearing loss and I guess even a hearing aid. His daycare teachers

were very pleased with how she did this and the kids were very

receptive. It was a great experience for , his teachers and

his friends. When wore his HAs to " school " the first day,

his teacher told me that the kids were very interested in what Griff

had in his ears. That lasted all of 10 minutes or so and then ...

it was kind of like 'big deal, it's just '. Cool! So the

kids in his class - and the rest of the daycare - were very used to

seeing him with his HAs and nothing changed with their attitudes

towards him. (His teachers did tell me that there was one " friend "

in Griff's class that on a couple of occassions tried to pull

's HA clip off the back of his shirt. While the teachers did

have a chat with the " friend " about this behavior they were proud of

for standing up for himself. They said that was

very vocal when this was happening by telling the boy to " STOP

BOTHERING MY HEARING AID CLIP!!!!! " They said this usually stopped

the boy in his tracks and it also caused ALL the other friends to

stop what they were doing and check to see who was bothering

. That was several months ago and I haven't heard that this

is.) :>

Anyways... last Friday the elementary school where my DH works was

having a carnival and and I went. Griff was having so much

fun taking in the different activities they had set up for kids pre-

k thru 5th grade such as bean bag toss, face painting, rock climbing

wall ... well you get the idea. So some of the 5th grade girls were

making things out of balloons for the kids and wanted a

puppy. So I stood off to the side while he waited in the long line

very patiently until it was his turn. Oh, he was excited! :> He

was really close to the front of the line when these two 5th grade

boys decided to cut in line (which just so happened to be right

behind ) to " flirt " with the girls in charge of the balloons

(ah, young love...). The girls played along at first then they got

back to business finishing up balloons. I happened to glance over

towards Griff because he was so close to being next when I saw one

of the boys looking at the cords to 's HAs. He jabbed his

friend in the ribs and then pointed at 's cords. Then they

noticed the HAs.... They whispered to each other and then the first

boy just so happens to look up and sees me looking at him. His

friend made like he was going to do something to the cords but the

first boy stopped him and kind of said something out of the side of

his mouth. The second boy looks over and sees me and this puts an

end to whatever might have happened next. Could very well have been

that they weren't going to do anything really but it just broke my

heart.

Nothing like this has happend before when I've been around (and

and do A LOT together). I know kids will be kids but geez!

I wasn't ready for it. The boys really didn't even do anything so I

didn't think it was appropriate to give them a friendly little

lesson on hearing loss and HAs ;-) I didn't say anything to the

boys but I could sure feel my blood pressure just boiling. At what

or whom exactly I was mad at I'm not sure. Maybe myself because I

came to realize in that moment of time that because there hadn't

been any major issues at daycare with other kids bothering him about

his HAs I was living in this la-la world with " rose colored glasses "

on that all was great, all is good in 's world of hearing

loss. Call me naive. The mother in me wants to protect my son

from " harsh world " . I'm quite sure that will do a very good

job on his own as he get older when he's faced with this type of

thing. And really, these boys didn't even do anything actually and

I'm sure there could be worse things done and/or said.

I'm curious what types of thing any of you have witnessed and how

you or your child handled -- if at all.

Boy, I feel better already by just being able to write this here.

~ Kay

Mom to (My Deere Boy) 4-1/2 years old -- Mild/Moderate

Hearing Loss

All messages posted to this list are private and confidential. Each post is the

intellectual property of the author and therefore subject to copyright

restrictions.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/27/2006 3:29:02 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

babydewe2@... writes:

Yes, they probably would have. Although I have worn glasses since I was in

third grade, I was never picked on for that. I was picked on for something

far beyond my control.....my last name.

And I was/am short ... back then I was even shorter. I started high school

at 4'11 " weighing in at a whopping 80 pounds soaking wet. The big kids like the

football players used to pick me up and say hello (remember the song Short

People by Randy Newman?) Anyway, I would simply smile and nod because they

thought they were so witty. One had his locker next to mine and use to pick me

up and move me out of his way when he needed to get into the locker, teasing

that if I was older, he'd ask me out or just carry me off. (he was a senior).

Occasionally I was hoisted onto a shoulder and carried into class as well.

No, I wasn't popular or a cheerleader ... but I was cute and didn't get mad.

And yes, I hated it but getting mad made it worse, so I'd laugh. Plus those big

ole football players thought I was funny and so there was always a host of

body guards if I ever needed them.

And from a select few kids I was also given grief because my family

situation. My dad had been a successful businessman and over the years devolved

into

one of the town's drunks. So there were a few yuppie types (before yuppies

existed) who felt free to try and torture us for that. And we laughed at them

as well. Humor and sarcasm were always a better solution than anger.

Kids can and will be mean, and we all learn to deal with it. As a parent I

just keep a close watch for when it crosses the line.

Best -- Jill

[Guest guest]

Kay wrote:

I'm curious what types of thing any of you have witnessed and how

you or your child handled -- if at all.

Boy, I feel better already by just being able to write this here.

~ Kay

I haven't read all of the responses so I hope i don't repeat. First of all you

deserve a hug. That must have been so tough to watch. However, I do have to

say that taking into account that your son has stood up for himself before I

would probably bet that had something happened your son would have been able to

handle it. Although, it stinks that he would have to " handle " anything. My

daughter hasn't had an experience like that just yet. But I think this would

fall into the same category as someone stealing another kids glasses. Ugh, I

can still rememeber the torments from when I had to wear my glasses!!!! Its

unfortunate that ANY child would ever do anything that could be so cruel to

another child.

UGh - i guess there really isn't anything to make it better. I think all

parents go through this. I remember before we found out about my DD's HL I hurt

for her because she was so shy and because other kids would make fun of her

speech. I guess the fact that they are " special " makes it a lot harder to deal

with. But I just try to tell myself that she would have had episodes like this

anyway - even without her aids, because kids can be cruel. They would have

found something.

All messages posted to this list are private and confidential. Each post is the

intellectual property of the author and therefore subject to copyright

restrictions.

[Guest guest]

What I would do is have JD turn and say " Hi! " to them. He now handles it on

his own and he'll start a conversation with them. How much he goes into it

will depend on the person's age and the situation. When he was much younger,

if they had any questions, they felt free to ask me after JD started said Hi

to them.

Along these lines, last night we were out at a local eatery for dinner after

picking JD up from work. After we got our food and were eating, I noticed

the fater of the family sitting next to us looking at JD and I was about to

point him out to JD when I noticed something else, their daughter (about 18

months old) had a CI so the conversation still happened, it just changed

slightly so we could answer their questions. Turns out their daughter goes

to Sunshine Cottage (where JD used to go).

Have a Magnificent Monday everyone!

-Kay

Kay

kay@...

The Listen-Up Website

http://www.listen-up.org

[Guest guest]

> And that's really the key for me: Hadley is a kid first and foremost in

> my mind. I model for her how to handle different situations, a few of

> which include dealing with her hearing aids. She doesn't make a big

> deal about them, and neither do I. As a result, she handles answering

> questions about her aids in school and we opt not to do a lesson in her

> class about them (the way I see it, every family could be coming in to

> school to do 20 minutes every year on " how to be a better friend to

> X/why child X is different " ). I focus my energy on making sure that

> Hadley is able to handle herself; not every kid is going to like her,

> not every kid is going to be nice to her, and that's ok. She can learn

> from those experiences-- and hopefully, it will make her think twice if

> she's in the position of picking on someone else.

My daughter is 5, aided since 3mo, in her current school for 1 1/2 years,

and I opted to take a different path with her.

I have gone into her preschool twice now to explain her hearing aids to

the other kids; the second time was focused on her new FM system. I

described her HAs as " very small, very strong computers " and how the FM

system used a different kind of light to let Eleanor hear her teacher

better. Her teacher and I let the kids know that they might have to tap

her on the shoulder to get her attention. It seems to have worked,

according to the teacher. Another teacher didn't want to have this talk,

but I thought it was better to answer questions openly, which I could do

better than my daughter or her teacher.

I didn't see the original post (I get the digest and delete it if I don't

have time), but I assume it was a tough, hey-mommy-what-are-THOSE-things,

don't-stare kind of situation. Childhood is really hard. I wish your

son/daughter(s) the best!

[Guest guest]

> And that's really the key for me: Hadley is a kid first and foremost in

> my mind. I model for her how to handle different situations, a few of

> which include dealing with her hearing aids. She doesn't make a big

> deal about them, and neither do I. As a result, she handles answering

> questions about her aids in school and we opt not to do a lesson in her

> class about them (the way I see it, every family could be coming in to

> school to do 20 minutes every year on " how to be a better friend to

> X/why child X is different " ). I focus my energy on making sure that

> Hadley is able to handle herself; not every kid is going to like her,

> not every kid is going to be nice to her, and that's ok. She can learn

> from those experiences-- and hopefully, it will make her think twice if

> she's in the position of picking on someone else.

My daughter is 5, aided since 3mo, in her current school for 1 1/2 years,

and I opted to take a different path with her.

I have gone into her preschool twice now to explain her hearing aids to

the other kids; the second time was focused on her new FM system. I

described her HAs as " very small, very strong computers " and how the FM

system used a different kind of light to let Eleanor hear her teacher

better. Her teacher and I let the kids know that they might have to tap

her on the shoulder to get her attention. It seems to have worked,

according to the teacher. Another teacher didn't want to have this talk,

but I thought it was better to answer questions openly, which I could do

better than my daughter or her teacher.

I didn't see the original post (I get the digest and delete it if I don't

have time), but I assume it was a tough, hey-mommy-what-are-THOSE-things,

don't-stare kind of situation. Childhood is really hard. I wish your

son/daughter(s) the best!

[Guest guest]

> And that's really the key for me: Hadley is a kid first and foremost in

> my mind. I model for her how to handle different situations, a few of

> which include dealing with her hearing aids. She doesn't make a big

> deal about them, and neither do I. As a result, she handles answering

> questions about her aids in school and we opt not to do a lesson in her

> class about them (the way I see it, every family could be coming in to

> school to do 20 minutes every year on " how to be a better friend to

> X/why child X is different " ). I focus my energy on making sure that

> Hadley is able to handle herself; not every kid is going to like her,

> not every kid is going to be nice to her, and that's ok. She can learn

> from those experiences-- and hopefully, it will make her think twice if

> she's in the position of picking on someone else.

My daughter is 5, aided since 3mo, in her current school for 1 1/2 years,

and I opted to take a different path with her.

I have gone into her preschool twice now to explain her hearing aids to

the other kids; the second time was focused on her new FM system. I

described her HAs as " very small, very strong computers " and how the FM

system used a different kind of light to let Eleanor hear her teacher

better. Her teacher and I let the kids know that they might have to tap

her on the shoulder to get her attention. It seems to have worked,

according to the teacher. Another teacher didn't want to have this talk,

but I thought it was better to answer questions openly, which I could do

better than my daughter or her teacher.

I didn't see the original post (I get the digest and delete it if I don't

have time), but I assume it was a tough, hey-mommy-what-are-THOSE-things,

don't-stare kind of situation. Childhood is really hard. I wish your

son/daughter(s) the best!

[Guest guest]

That was such a sweet story Kay. There is a little girl whose family goes to

our church and their daughter with a CI goes to Maggie's school. They visited

our church one sunday fairly soon after their baby daughter was diagnosed and by

" chance " they sat right behind us. They noticed Maggie's hearing aids and saw

that she was singing along and that we were whispering to each other. Maggie

was probably about 9 or 10 then. When we got to the " shake hands " part of the

service they introduced themselves. Later they told us that they didn't

remember anything else about the church service - they just were fascinated with

Maggie. But it was a great encouragement to them to see a child who was a bit

older and doing well. And their little girl loves Maggie because she too has

" ears. " And she goes to AV at the same place Maggie did! So our kids can be

the source of a lot of encouragement to parents who are just starting out on the

journey!

Re: My Heart Broke ... Won't be the last time I'm sure

>

>What I would do is have JD turn and say " Hi! " to them. He now handles it on

>his own and he'll start a conversation with them. How much he goes into it

>will depend on the person's age and the situation. When he was much younger,

>if they had any questions, they felt free to ask me after JD started said Hi

>to them.

>

>Along these lines, last night we were out at a local eatery for dinner after

>picking JD up from work. After we got our food and were eating, I noticed

>the fater of the family sitting next to us looking at JD and I was about to

>point him out to JD when I noticed something else, their daughter (about 18

>months old) had a CI so the conversation still happened, it just changed

>slightly so we could answer their questions. Turns out their daughter goes

>to Sunshine Cottage (where JD used to go).

>

>Have a Magnificent Monday everyone!

>

>-Kay

>Kay

>kay@...

>The Listen-Up Website

>http://www.listen-up.org

>

>

>

>

>All messages posted to this list are private and confidential. Each post is

the intellectual property of the author and therefore subject to copyright

restrictions.

>

[Guest guest]

Sara Chaddock wrote: But I just try to tell myself

that she would have had episodes like this anyway - even without her aids,

because kids can be cruel. They would have found something.

Yes, they probably would have. Although I have worn glasses since I was in

third grade, I was never picked on for that. I was picked on for something far

beyond my control.....my last name. It use to bother me so much when it began

in middle school, but by the time I was in my sophmore year of high school, I

was use to it and would just joke along with them. I'll also add that it wasn't

good to be one of the first to " develop " ...another story for another time.

Debbie

Some men see things as they are and ask why. Others dream things that never were

and ask why not. G.B Shaw

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

New Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. Call regular phones from your PC for low, low

rates.

[Guest guest]

Sara Chaddock wrote: But I just try to tell myself

that she would have had episodes like this anyway - even without her aids,

because kids can be cruel. They would have found something.

Yes, they probably would have. Although I have worn glasses since I was in

third grade, I was never picked on for that. I was picked on for something far

beyond my control.....my last name. It use to bother me so much when it began

in middle school, but by the time I was in my sophmore year of high school, I

was use to it and would just joke along with them. I'll also add that it wasn't

good to be one of the first to " develop " ...another story for another time.

Debbie

Some men see things as they are and ask why. Others dream things that never were

and ask why not. G.B Shaw

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

New Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. Call regular phones from your PC for low, low

rates.