Re: WELCOME !!

FHargr3092 (FHargr3092(AT)aol.com)
Fri, 22 May 1998 09:44:24 EDT

Kathy, JanH here. Hayley is most lucky to have
an aunt who is so involved in her life!! I was struck
with this only 10 days after Hayley and I can under-
stand her wondering 'what happened'? She had no
warning and went quickly from an athlete to unable
to move--how scary can that be?!! She is at an age
that concrete answers are the way they learn and
with tm she gets no concrete answers! It's good for
her that you have found this group for at least you
can get her some answers that otherwise are not
readily available...I've read the previous postings and
I am in agreement with their suggestions. First and
foremost, a positive attitude! It's evident that she has
the support of her family and maybe now that you have
found this place you will have other ideas to help her.

I would hope , as Barbara mentioned, that some of the
members of this group who were struck as a youngster
would send you some thoughts as to how they coped
as a teen, etc. I agree that just being a teen is difficult
enough--!! I think that Hayley must be encouraged to
get involved at whatever level she can attain--if she has
a good attitude, the other kids her age will pick up on it.
The others are probably scared of what happened to her--
you know that at that age, they think nothing can happen
to them--and Hayley's experience is frightening to them.

One other thought. I believe in the power of laughter! I
would encourage your family to make laughter a necessity!
Try to find the funny side of everything, watch comedies,
anything to get the lighter side back into her life.

I hope that you will get some replies from the younger set.
Thank you for being so thoughtful for Hayley.

JanH