parents

Our Publication It’s a Whole new view: Raising a Child WithDwarfism” is available as a pdf file online, at the LPA web site, or by contacting our National Office at info@lpaonline.org or 1-888-Lpa-2001

PARENTS PAGE

As members of LPA it is important for us all to provide and share information regarding all aspects of raising our children. We hope to use this page as a source of helpful information and support to ensure your child receives all the best that LPA has to offer. We welcome any advice, tips or ideas you may want to share which has been helpful in raising your child.

WELCOME NEW PARENTS. We have put together a variety of information to help put you on the right track regarding having a child with some type of dwarfism. In the beginning it can be quite confusing and overwhelming at times. Gathering information, choosing the right doctors and getting accustom to your new life with a child of short stature. The most important things to always remember is that you are your child’s best advocate. Second, you are not the only one and have a great amount of support through LPA. Most important is regardless of your child’s condition and what the future holds, this is your child and they look for you for all the love, care and support the world can offer. We encourage new parents and their families to become members of LPA as soon as they are ready. Then take full advantage of the support of other parents and the information this web site and LPA has to offer.

Information and resources for NEW PARENTS

Tips for ALL PARENTS

“What I’ve Learned”

By Joanna Campbell

[I wrote this for my last newsletter as President of the Orange Blossom Chapter (Orange County , CA) of LPA. At the time, my daughter was 13]. April 2006

First and foremost, the time has come for those of us that re-started the Orange Blossom Chapter (OBC) to pass the LPA-OBC baton to new families. When Vicky Schulte and I re-started OBC more than 10 years ago, her daughter Michelle was just beginning kindergarten and my daughter Elizabeth was 2 ½. Michelle is now looking at colleges and Elizabeth is firmly involved in the middle-school/pre-teen world. I remember, at the beginning, I couldn’t even think about her going to kindergarten! My baby! How would she do? Turning her loose in the big world! No Way!

Well, both girls have grown up beautifully and I know a huge part of that is due to our involvement with LPA, both locally and nationally. I have learned so much from my friends in LPA; average and lp, adult and kids. Here are a few of the things I’ve learned:

· I have learned how to have grace when you really want to rip some strangers head off because they are being rude.

· I have learned how to tell the difference between innocent curiosity and a person who is a jerk.

· I have learned to have patience when it takes longer to get places.

· I have learned to focus on my children, husband and friends like there is no one else around when we are in public—because no one else matters anyway.

· I have learned that sometimes it really stinks when the water park won’t let you on the slide you’ve done 12 times before, but that the management will also give in (one time) when your whole class is chanting “Let her go!” behind him.

· I have learned to shop carefully for clothes and shoes.

· Through my adult lp friends I have learned when something is really an issue and when to let something go, and most importantly, when I was being foolish or overprotective or too sensitive.

· I learned to have a thicker skin – that’s probably one of the biggest lessons.

· I’ve learned that, for the most part, the world is a good place, but that once in a while, some comment, or accusation, or assumption will come out of the blue and take your breath away.

· I’ve learned that sometimes seemingly healthy people will end up with surgery no matter what.

· I’ve learned to be an advocate for my children which has carried over into being an advocate for my life and other family members as well.

· I’ve learned not to be intimidated by doctors.

· I’ve learned it’s not a question of “having” the time, it’s a question of “making” the time. Everyone’s life is busy, but we make time for our priorities.

Personally…

· I’ve learned what my some of my skills are; how to put on a Regional and National Conference, how to organize an event, and how to run with an idea and make it happen.

· I’ve learned to laugh and be proud of who each of us are.

· I’ve learned that believing with every fiber of my being that my children will have a great life makes all the difference.

My wish for everyone who comes in contact with LPA—whether it be average-height parents or an lp child—is to find just one friend. OBC re-started because Vicky and I became friends. We started as women who had something in common (daughters with dwarfism), but then we became friends and created a relationship on our own.