[BnJean]

Just found this site...how exciting to be in touch with those that share. For those wondering if you can raise children and be in a wheelchair...I say, of course. I was injured at the age of 23 and already had 2 children....ages 5 and 7. I am paraplygic and I sucessfuly raised both of my children and by myself. By that I mean I had no husband, but I did have a very helpful and loving family. Both of my children are now very happy and successful adults...happily married, and have blessed me with 3 beautiful grandchildren. I am not saying it was always a piece of cake, but I always tried to do everything as normal as I could and keep our lives on track. I never missed a school concert or a ballgame and participated as much as I could. They had a mom in a wheelchair, but there were times we hardly noticed. Their friends stayed over, we played games, cooked, sang....whatever we could. As teenagers they attened their proms like anyone else, and I made them pose for the dreaded pictures like any mom would.
They each had lovely weddings and I was there to organize the wedding showers and later baby showers. I always try to this day to think more about what I CAN do and not what I can not do. Of course I had health problems and we dealt with them as they came. It gets worse as you get older...but is it not that way with every person?...my children are thoughtful and kind and well adjusted. Sure, there are some things they missed in life because of a disabled parent, but there are plenty of parents out there that have the worse disability of all....they are heartless and incapable of love. Those children suffer far more then a loving parent with a disability. My children have my love, my attention and my time, as do my grandchildren. Be a parent any way you can....I reccomend it as the best job on earth. Thanks for listening...and happy parenting....

[EileenM.]

Wow. I'm a quad., sci 4,5,6 with 4 teens., I have been a mom regardless of my sci. Having 4 children who are now 14,16,18,20,...I've experienced exactly what you mentioned. The little league, football games (lots of those)and soccer, well it's just great for me to have read all the same things you've already been through, and I've yet to experience. It means I'll survive these years, you get my drift. I posted SCI parents in wheelchair, would appreciate any advice. No-one said life would be easy.

Wow. I'm a quad., sci 4,5,6 with 4 teens., I have been a mom regardless of my sci. Having 4 children who are now 14,16,18,20,...I've experienced exactly what you mentioned. The little league, football games (lots of those)and soccer, well it's just great for me to have read all the same things you've already been through, and I've yet to experience. It means I'll survive these years, you get my drift. I posted SCI parents in wheelchair, would appreciate any advice. No-one said life would be easy.