I Want To Be Like Everyone Else
Being a teen is certainly about figuring out who you are, but it starts by being like everyone else. The last thing you want to do is be different, look different or require any different or specialty treatment. For teens with disfiguring or medically intensive treatment, the struggle deals with the desire to be like everyone else because let’s face it, they’re different. This is why opportunities to be like everyone else are priceless.
An important gift you can give your developing teen with a chronic illness is the opportunity to be just like everyone else. The opportunity to have their differences be less obvious in a way that makes them self-conscious and to be in an environment where people understand them without having them explain too much.
For parents and other family, this is also an opportunity to network and build long lasting relationships that are supportive as well as educational or informative. This type of community gives hope where there might not be any and acceptance when a family can see how far an older family has come.
Summer is around the corner as far as summer camps go and there are great opportunities for teens with chronic or unique illnesses to connect with other teens and well, just be a teen.
There are several opportunities, but Starlight Children’s Foundation is a resource center for parent’s with chronic illnesses. The Flying Horse Farm is an example of a summer camp that caters to children undergoing serious illnesses. These organizations work endlessly to keep their doors open so check out any fundraisers like the Flying Horse Ride that are up your alley and lend your support either emotionally or financially. these teens could use your help to feel normal.
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