SPARKY
... I have
Cerebral Palsy. When I was born I had a few problems and was in the hospital
for about a month. The doctors told my parents I would not amount to much
and wanted them to put me away. My parents told the doctors they were going
to keep me. Thank God for small favors - for I have come a very long way
since then.
I started school at the age of two in a disabled school in San Diego, Calif. Therapists exercised my arms and legs and I finally started walking at the age of four. I spent most of my schooling in public school systems. It wasn't easy, but nothing profitable falls into your lap; you have to work at it.
After high school I did not know what was in store for me. I worked in places like Goodwill, which wasn't too bad. I also worked at workshops for the retarded. This was very hard on me, because I'm not retarded, or developmentally disabed as it's now termed. I went to business college in Eugene, Ore. for a year, taking various business courses. I then took a state clerical exam and, much to my surprise, passed it. My Dad was very infuential in then helping me get a job at the University of Oregon Library. I was there for about four years.
I then got married and moved to Corvallis, Ore. The marriage, however, didn't last long. It was one aspect of my life that shouldn't have happened. Oh well, I guess we're all entitled to a few mistakes in our lifetime.
In 1979 I meet a very nice man named Jim. He has been very good to me. Like any other couple we have had our ups and downs. Another person that has been very influential in my life is my landlord, Homer Mackey. With the support of these two men, my life has been much easier than if I would have been alone.
I would dearly love to hear from anybody out there with Cerebral Palsy or a developmental disability. If you want to write or connect with other penpals, just click below and email me. Thanks!
BABY
