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Hi Toe-Nail,

My biggest lesson in life I have to learn is to accept myself, and not be worried what others think - easier said than done! - when we really deep down care what our love ones think about us - that's being human. My husband and I after 21 years love each other warts and all - no one is perfect and I wouldn't want to love someone who was. The worlds a more interesting place for the people who are different. I have a dear friend Jamie who in his 30's and has severe multiple schlerosis. He is cared for in a home, physically he struggles everyday with every muscle in his body having a mind of its own to walk, and his speech is extremely difficult to understand as he struggles to get every word out. Jamie is a wonderful man full of humour and I have such a respect for him. I used to help him write his emails when I worked in the Library to his friends, for me to type a 3 minute email was nothing - for Jamie with one unsteady hand held by the other it would take hours. I would tell his friends I was his private secretary and what a wonderful boss Jamie was. His mates were so impressed Jamie had a secretary and Jamie & I enjoyed the joke. I have never heard him ever complain even when he dropped into my office the other day for a visit with yet another broken arm. I have seen people recoil in horror when they meet him - afraid to "catch" his disability. I have witnessed first hand the ignorance people can have towards others "Less perfect". It is sad - but when I feel down about my own little defects I think of Jamie and laugh at the world like he does every day - "A day without a smile is a day wasted!" OK enough of the cliches - Your a great person Toe-nail - we recognise that every time you write in - so should you. I always tell my staff when they are down on themselves for making a mistake - be kind to yourself! Your doing Ok
Kathy:D