Newport 6-year-old finds solace in the sea.

[elleng]

Alex Chery inches his walker across the sand in Newport Beach, slowly taking steps toward the ocean.

Most other kids in the after-school surf program have sprinted to put on their wetsuits as Alex's fragile legs navigate the small sandy bumps, his determined eyes set on the surf.

Alex was born with cerebral palsy, a disorder that affects motor skills and physical development. The only time the 6-year-old frees himself from the clunky walker is when he's in the ocean, a place he's become more comfortable with than dry land.

"It's really good for my body," he explains in a soft voice before hitting the surf on the south side of the Newport Beach Pier. "Surfing helps me walk, because it gets my legs stronger by moving. It makes me have more ability."

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/chery-496083-surf-anthony.html

(Grandson of a friend.)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. What a great story, my dear elleng!

How fantastic he can surf and play in the ocean.

Maybe he'll be strengthened by working on the surfboard.

[elleng]

2. Sounds like he will be, CalPeg.

Will be in touch and following his progress.

[Downwinder]

3. Makes me think of MZB's dolphin story.

[Victor_c3]

4. One of my really good friends was a guy with cerebral palsy

He was a childhood friend since I was about 8 or 9 years old. He did a lot for me and I'm sure I did a lot for him as well. He got me into weightlifting and playing chess and I gave him a hard time and treated him like I would treat any of my other friends.

He also had some learning disabilities and I remember spending a couple of hours a week when we were in 10th grade helping him do some of his homework. Although it took him a little longer to read a book than me and he might not catch on to some of the math stuff like I did, he was no slouch in the brains department. I studied, read a lot of books, and worked very hard on getting good at playing chess and this guy was always competition for me and would normally beat me 2 out of 3 times.

When we graduated high school and went to the local townie underage drinking graduation party I left a little earlier than he did. Shortly after I left, the cops came and busted up the party and everyone took off running into the woods and down the train tracks. This guy couldn't really run at all and he was one of the only people to get caught and given a ticket. Had I been there, I would have stayed with him and gotten a ticket too.

[CanSocDem]

5. Moving defiantly ...

...away, emotionally, psychologically and physically, from the ravages of the disease sounds to me, like a path to wellness.

.

[trotsky]

6. Yes, positive thinking will certainly cure his cerebral palsy.

It's just too bad he allowed himself to be born with the condition, eh?

[CanSocDem]

7. You'll never get it.

Even when it's staring you in the face.

Everybody has their own life challenges. This kid shows us how important attitude is, in the process of dealing with those 'challenges'.

He doesn't focus on them.

Is that too complicated for you?


.

[trotsky]

8. Neither will you.

Cerebral palsy isn't just a "challenge," it's a serious condition. A healthy attitude is great to have but it's not going to cure anything.

[CanSocDem]

9. Attitudinal 'cures' are everywhere...

...and becoming more visible daily. The only people who cannot see this are those who have a vested interest in the status quo. People can believe whatever they want and the only time that is disputed around here is when the "status quo" feels truly threatened.

Cue Trotsky:

I hate the disease that I have to deal with every day but I manage and I don't need nobody telling me I'm doing it wrong!!

Oh, and when is a "serious condition" NOT a "challenge"??? Are you a Rockefeller...???

.

[trotsky]

10. I will not blame the victims of disease as you do.

Sorry.

[Celebration]

11. who blames the victim?

That is preposterous.

Let's see- kid has cp, but loves the ocean, and he surfs to strengthen legs, and feel that it will better his physical condition. I would have to assume that he knows his body and can feel some healing when he does this. Applauding the good attitude is blaming the victim???? Hardly. In fact we celebrate the attitude.

What in the world is wrong with that?

[trotsky]

12. I agree it's preposterous to blame the victim.

Which is why CanSocDem's attitude toward those with health conditions is disgusting. S/he thinks that people can simply wish themselves to good health.

[Celebration]

13. you seem to be misinterpreting

People may not be able to reverse a medical condition, but with the right attitude ("surfing is healing for me&quot a great deal may be accomplished towards leading a full productive, and whole life, both mentally and physically, no matter what the affliction. And with the right attitude, unconventional healing modalities may be explored, utilized and greatly improve the condition (think horseback riding, surfing, etc.)

Show me where the CSD said a person can wish themselves to "good health".

[trotsky]

14. I'm not misinterpreting CanSocDem - you are.

His/her attitude toward people with health issues is disturbing and wrong.

[Celebration]

15. to me, it seems stalkerish

There is nothing in this thread that CanSocDem said that merits this response.

Are you following the person around in the Health Group?

Isn't it possible to let each thread and post stand on its own merit?

Why are you trying to rain on the parade of a nice feel good story by attacking another poster?

You are the one acting in a bizarre manner, sort of like you have an agenda to attack another DUer no matter what is said.

[trotsky]

16. Seems like you're stalking me, then.

You should practice what you preach and stop engaging in personal attacks. Let CanSocDem defend their victim-blaming philosophy and butt out.

[Celebration]

17. I merely responded

to what I considered to be an unwarranted attack of another DUer.

[trotsky]

18. I refuse to let anyone blame the victim, whether that be in politics, law, or health.

And as I've told you before, you will never silence me or keep me from speaking my opinion.

[CanSocDem]

19. I tried ignoring you...

...hoping that this "blame the victim" nonsense would disappear. It's untrue of course, but because you've heard it before you decide to use it in an effort to generate support for your
little crusade to diminish the power of the human spirit.

Which is all I advocate.

People with a high school education and without a corporate agenda understand this. What is sadly humorous is that so-called progressives, furiously stumping for the dysfunctional corporate model, complain that it is I who betray accepted liberal social values.

"Which is why CanSocDem's attitude toward those with health conditions is disgusting. S/he thinks that people can simply wish themselves to good health.
His/her attitude toward people with health issues is disturbing and wrong."

BTW...it is a "He".

And in a breathtaking declaration of 'progressive purity'....

"I refuse to let anyone blame the victim, whether that be in politics, law, or health.".

Really, I wish you would read the posts to which you respond.

.

[trotsky]

20. Baloney. Here's the documented proof of your outlandish claims.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1018&pid=219075

Your own words. Blaming the victim.

"People get sick for their own purposes..."

"People choose ill health for their own reasons"

"And yes you did decide to get that "painful, crippling...disease" for your own reasons"

"I'm saying WHATEVER you got you got for your own, obviously subconcious, intents and purposes"

"The question isn't '...where did this disease come from...' but rather 'Why did this disease come to me...'"

"To get where I'm at...'total mental control over health....' all you need to realize is that your thoughts and beliefs create your reality. "

BLAMING THE VICTIM. Disgusting and putrid as when the right wing blames poor people for being poor, or men claim some women want to be raped.

At least you've found a defender here, Celebration, who is willing to back you up on these horrible positions. Right, Celebration?

[CanSocDem]

21. So...

...you are struggling with the word "Blame".

I am saying people 'should' take some personal responsibility for their own health. I advocate AWAY from the medical industry because they have more interest in earning profit than they do in promoting public health. I don't "blame" people for their medical condition. I accept that it is, "a serious issue", or more to the point, one of life's "challenges", and theirs to deal with at a personal level as opposed to public marketing.

If you are overwhelmed by your life challenges, medical or otherwise, I am sorry that you cannot summon some personal inner strength that would lighten your load. Your loss. The youngster in the OP knows how and you don't. That should be a clue.


"People get sick for their own purposes..." "People choose ill health for their own reasons" "And yes you did decide to get that "painful, crippling...disease" for your own reasons" "I'm saying WHATEVER you got you got for your own, obviously subconcious, intents and purposes" "The question isn't '...where did this disease come from...' but rather 'Why did this disease come to me...'" "To get where I'm at...'total mental control over health....' all you need to realize is that your thoughts and beliefs create your reality. "

"At least you've found a defender here, Celebration, who is willing to back you up on these horrible positions. Right, Celebration?"

You're probably just mad that your entourage hasn't shown up. And don't worry...there are a lot of people out there who have experienced the power of the human spirit. They may not agree with all I write or want to subject themselves to the bullying from the industry shills, but they are out there.









.

[trotsky]

22. Anyone can go back and read your own words and draw their own conclusions.

Your history of blaming people for their own illnesses is well-documented. Trying to spin it by claiming that it's really the "medical industry" making people sick isn't going to work.

Bring on all the personal attacks you want - you won't silence me either. I'll keep exposing your rotten philosophy.

[CanSocDem]

23. OK

"Trying to spin it by claiming that it's really the "medical industry" making people sick isn't going to work."

Who, then, is "making people sick"?

.

[trotsky]

24. Do you expect a simple answer to that question?

If you do, that begins to explain why you think the way you do. Because there's rarely a "who" doing it.

Bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, genes (inherited conditions, random mutations, DNA encoding errors), radiation (both naturally and artificially-occurring), chemicals and substances (again, both natural and artificial), lack of oxygen at birth, the list goes on and on and on.

Do you accept or reject the above as potential causes of ill health or disease?

[Celebration]

25. the main issue I have is the stalking

If you have a problem with someone's post, respond to that. But if you have a problem with someone's post in a different thread, respond to it in that thread.

Trotsky, dragging whatever your issues are to another thread is basically piling shit on the OP, which is NOT warranted, and is stalker type behavior.

Don't you have enough conflict here without stalking posters for something they said in a different thread?

Don't you owe some respect to the original poster in this thread to stay on topic and not use the thread to stalk a person?

[trotsky]

26. Yet here you are stalking me.

Same exact behavior. If you have a personal issue with what I post, why not take it up with me in a PM? Why do you feel the need to stalk and harass me yourself?

I would argue that in this thread, his initial comment (that I responded to) brought up his "blame the victim" mentality regarding disease. I think that mentality, that philosophy is WRONG and I will address it whenever it comes up.

Other posters have the right to know what people have said in the past and what they are trying to argue.

And once again I will state that you will not silence me with your personal attacks. You do not intimidate or frighten me. If you want to ally yourself with CanSocDem on this issue and blame the sick for their own condition be my guest, but then ADDRESS THAT TOPIC instead of harassing me.

[Celebration]

27. Stay on topic Trotsky

Stop the stalking. Nobody wants it. There is nothing in this thread that remotely refers to blaming the victim. You are personalizing posts and looking for things that are not there. What a convenient way to try to deflect blame away from yourself. Just rant on and on, you have already ruined a very nice OP.

Have a good day.

[trotsky]

28. I would ask that you do the same.

I have repeatedly asked you to address the topic, but you have refused and instead personally attacked me. But as I have said, and will continue to remind you, you will never intimidate or silence me with your attacks.

Good day indeed.