New to the board

[RobQ]

I just recently found this board and thought I'd give it a try. I have CP, I believe athetoid, but am pretty independent -- work, drive, looking to move out on my own with once-a-week help with food preparation, etc. I'm 29, college educated, and have tried everything I can think of to connect with people in similar situations or just my age, esp. females, in the Philly area. If anyone reads this and "can relate" I hope you'll reply, esp. if you're from the area.

[snailmailqueen]

hi Rob,

i am new to the board too& also have CP, am a quad. i walk with crutches for assistance, when needed, and wear braces on my legs. ive had 11 surgeries throughout my childhood. i am also college educated, though not working. i am a 29 f from NY.

[RobQ]

I'm curious what types of experiences you've had. If you don't mind me asking...
are you looking to work? I know how hard it is to find a job; only ones I ever had were through someone who knew someone.
do you have any disabled friends? I didn't do a very good job of maintaining friends from school. Now, the few people I know in the disability community have little interest in doing things socially.
I'd love some feedback.

Originally posted by snailmailqueen:
hi Rob,

i am new to the board too& also have CP, am a quad. i walk with crutches for assistance, when needed, and wear braces on my legs. ive had 11 surgeries throughout my childhood. i am also college educated, though not working. i am a 29 f from NY.

[blackbelt]

Hi. I am 24 female w/ mild spastic cp which affects my right side. I wear a brace on my right leg. I am usually quite independent. I too would love to move out soon. Rob, to move out, I think I would need a little bit of help too. How do you obtain such assistance? I am looking for friendships with those my age and/or those who can identify with cp situations.
I am college educated. I work as a special education teacher. I teach kids with autism.
Rob, I didn't maintain many friends from school either. I have one friend who is my age. She is not disabled. We do stuff about once a month. She is still in college and lives near the college. I live about an hour and half away. I have two friends who arein their 40s or so. One has cp. One is a former special ed. teacher. I really want to socialize with people my own age. I have also found that few people from the disabled community want to socialize. I have tried getting a cp support group started, but I think it fell through.
I live in Georgia.

Blackbelt