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J 8 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, January 20, 1987 Helping cope with kids handicap (From page 6) Mrs. Grisdale, her fellow It's a lifetime pro- cess (getting rid of initial expecta- tions). It's been compared to the member, says, *' process of grieving over the death of a loved one." : At six months, Joshua Gris couldn't raise his head or do anything else 'normal babies' at his age could accomplish. At nine months, he was diagnosed as having cerebral palsy. "I'd hardly even heard the name cerebral palsy before,'"' Mrs. Grisdale recalls. *'1 asked my doc- tor, what does this mean? He seem- ed shocked that | was crying." Having a support group around you at a time like that can be a great relief the two women say, but it's also necessary in later years when life becomes a series of doctor ap pointments, therapy sessions, and hard, hard work. Some of the toughest things they deal with every day are physical re- quirements like lifting, and bathing. As Joshua gets bigger, Mrs. Grisdale worries more and more about how her and her back can pick Winter and wheels When travelling by car on long trips in wintertime, leave an ap- proximate arrival time with friends and relatives, the Ontario Trucking Association Safety Council advises. If you fail to arrive on time due to a breakdown or other problems on the road, especially on less-travelled roads, trucking professionals sug- gest someone would realize something went wrong and notify police or send help. Remember also to ensure vou "have a warm jacket easily accessi- ble in the car itself, as well as addi- tional equipment such as sand or kitty litter, small shovel, extra flares or safety triangles and warm footwear. Other tips for motorists are con- tained in the pamphlet *'Sharing the Road with a Truck" which is available free of charge from the Ontario Trucking Association, 555 Dixon Road, Rexdale, Ontario, MOW IHS, or by calling (416) 249-7401. ST ARTS JANUARY 1 15th = 30% on our fine selection of FURNITURE Custom Fabrics Included WALLPAPER & PAINT 20% OF SELECTED ACCESSORIES up to 50% OFF Don't Miss this Once a Year Event 183 QUEEN ST. PORT PERRY «985-8234 OPEN: Weekdays '® Saturday 9:30 - 5:30 FRIDAYS TILL 9:00 SUNDAYS 1:00 - 5:00 him up for bathing. Another aspect she feels difficult to deal with is the future. "I think the future is going to be bright for him but if I focus too much on it | can get pretty depress- ed, thinking about all the things he's going to find difficult," she says. 'I find, 1 have to take one day at a time.' SAVE UP TO is bringing 100% Dupont Nylon SAXONY £15.00 ... INSTALLED WITH PAD 12 Rolls of 10 Mil. Vinyl Flooring YN Tock 50% OFF Carpet & Vinyl Remnants Roll Ends up to 25' AREA RUGS 1/72 PRICE 154 QUEEN ST., PORT PERRY Phone 985-9859 Ag Mrs. Potier worries more about financial problems and the emo- tional strain. Raising a handicapped child is much more expensive. Joshua's electric wheelchair, for ex- ample, cost $6,000, Part of that cost was covered by subsidies: from government agen- cies, and indeed, there are many financial grants available to assist Try Ltd. Sagealt St - parents who are raising handicap- ped children. The challenge is knowing what funds are available, which is an area where the support group is ex- tremely helpful. For more information about the group, contact either Louise Pétier at 985-3968 or Jan Grisdale at 852-3972. (BARPET ALE! Sorpel and Tile