I knew I was different, of course I had to, even at age 7. There I was perfectly normal, and the next thing I know I am unable to make it to the bathroom and having accidents in school. How humiliating! I was weak, frail, and took loads of pills every day. I missed school often, due to medical tests and hospital stays.
Now we all know how cruel young children can be when someone or something is different. I was one of those people and had to somehow survive. Yes, they pointed and made fun of me. They giggled, made up names, but I was resilient. I was also lucky enough to have a few teachers who would step in and threaten the entire class in my absence, they were not to make fun of me or they would be scolded. So, through all of that, for two years I managed. I think part of it was my image of myself, even at that young age. I had an attitude that wanted to be just like the other kids. I pushed myself and with the help of a few really good friends, pulled through with flying colors.
My advice is never to get yourself down and fight it all the way. Just when I thought I was the worst, sickest and most abnormal person, I would be somewhere like Children’s Hospital for an appointment and look around. There were so many other children much worse than I, or so I thought. That put life into perspective. As a matter of fact I took both my stepdaughter and my own son to Children’s Hospital for a visit on separate occasions. We did not go to see anyone imparticular, just visit my doctor friends. One day at that hospital will, help anyone see how unfortunate so many other families and children are. It made both children, see life a bit different from then on. Maybe a visit there for a few of the bullies in school is a solution to some of our problems.
