IS THERE A PENPAL SIGHT ON MN JUST FOR TEENS WITH DISABILITIES??

[salsmum]

Hiya might seem like a crazy request IF it doesnt already exist in special needs section of MN.
I have an 18 year old daughter who has c.p. and is a wheelchair user.
My girl is pretty, witty, intelligent and just like most other 18 year olds BUT she doesnt see herself as i do, she does get quite down about her disabilities can have low self esteem and I know that there are other teens feeling just the same with disabilities. Wouldnt it be really great if there was a penpal site so the teenagers could confide/have chat etc... to others who can understand and offer support to each other? sometimes its just nice to get an e-mail to lift peoples spirits if they are feeling low.
My girl would love to chat to another teen in U.S.A. or England i know and obviously both sides could benefit.
It would be nice if they could attach photos too.
Soooo any advice appreciated could this be a new topic or does it exist? just for teens with disabilities.

[2shoes]

There isn't one on here but.....
dd's school has a 16 plus so if you want I could mention it and see if there was someone there.
(am thinking of a girl on dd's bus actually who is about 17 and 18 and lovely)

[salsmum]

Thanx 2shoes that would be great My girl goes to school quite a distance away so most of her school pals are scattered
I think particularly if they are w/chair users you can't have the sleepovers/home visits that most teens take for granted so this can compound the feelings of isolation.
Her boyfriend left her college in sept and i know she misses him terribly [he has M.D.]
Unfortunatly she only comes home w/ends and if shes had a 'bad time' at college she can get quite crabby then she'll feel guilty because i'm her sole carer.
Of course because of her age next year she'll go to new college and ss put sooo much enthasis on independant living/transition that i think shes quite scared by it all but in typical 'teen fashion'will not admit to it!
Her interests are RNB shopping, ipod clubbing [she wish!lol]
bacardi breezers and more shopping!

[2shoes]

I know you have said loads. but can she talk?

[salsmum]

Yes she can is only physically severely disabled uses only left hand talks for England! lol

[2shoes]

trouble is most of the young people at dd's school don't talk.
will that matter?

[salsmum]

Well no i dont think so i'm sure they can still use the p.c. .
I really wish i was more p.c. literate [types with 2 fingers....same hand] because as i heard off my girls head teacher yestoday its quite normal for sn teens to go through a stage where they get totally hacked off with being disabled and the way they look .
Even though i've no probs with her disability and am not a member of the oh-woe-is-me brigade.

[salsmum]

oh sorry 2shoes i ment to say if i was more p.c.literate i would create a pen-pal site to help these teens 'connect'sorry forgot [its me age]

[2shoes]

maybe we should get together and do something.
I will mention it when i go into the school today. i DO KNOW OF A COUPLE OF YOUNGER(15/16) who are quite "with it"

[2shoes]

what about if we start a group on facebook?

[Davros]

There was a thread similar to this VERY recently (less than 2 weeks). I suggested looking at www.Specialkidsintheuk.org and I hvae just noticed in their latest newsletter that they DO have a kids only on-line forum, for children/young people with disability and their siblings. HTH

[2shoes]

got one
she is in the 16 plus and loves penpals.
Just got to wait for some info from her link worker.

[salsmum]

Davros,
thats great news thanx for that will get missy to look it up when she gets home .Its also good to know that there IS an interest in a site for young peeps with disabilities.
2shoes thats a brill idea I'm not quite sure how to go about it though I hope that other mums/carers/kids would let us know what they think? The only prob i can think of would be around 'safety issues' thats why i suggested profile pix as form of I.d.
thanx for your help x

[salsmum]

Davros just looked up site skituk and am most surprised to see that when you sign in as a new member its got form for parents/carers then it has form for proffessionals to fill in
if its also meant for 'kids' up to 16/18 why is there no form for them in their own right to fill in ?[stands on inclusion soapbox].
Thanx v much for info again i've bookmarked it.

[2shoes]

salsmum will your dd be a penpal to this girl?

[Davros]

Hmmm, I haven't really used SKITUK myself although I am a member (I am a serial joiner!). I see what you mean, perhaps suggest it? I wonder if it is any good and works....

[2shoes]

the girl was there when I was asking.

[salsmum]

OH IM SOOOO SORRY 2SHOES I HAD TO GO TO MY MATES HOUSE TO AV ME HAIR CHOPPED SO MISSED 1ST THREAD I'VE NOT SPOKEN TO MY GIRL SINCE MON SHE BOARDS AT SCHOOL YOU SEE I KNOW SHES STAYING NEXT W/END BUT WILL BE HOME THE FOLLOWING FRI.
I'M SURE SHE WOULD BE VERY HAPPY TO CORRESPOND AND BE P.P. WITH THIS OTHER YOUNG LADY THOU.
PLEASE GIVE HER MY APOLOGIES YOU KNOW WHAT ITS LIKE WHEN YOU GET TO DRINKING TEA N CHATTING .
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN ACCESS MY EMAIL DETAILS THROUGH M.N. BUT WOULD BE HAPPY FOR CONTACT UNTIL SAL IS HOME.
Davros its worth a try will keep you posted

[2shoes]

BRILLIANT (omg it is catching) will be in touch once I have the email,

[salsmum]

2shoes,
hiya dont know if you're in touch with this certain young lady today but sal is very keen to get in touch .
will have peep regularly today and hopefully we can get 'link' started.
i'm decorating at mo so forgive if i dissapear during week.

[2shoes]

i haven't heard anything yet but will send a reminder note in with dd tomorrow.

[salsmum]

o.k. 2shoes shes out spending her hard-earned EMA at mo but i'll let her know when she gets back. she seems pleased with the idea

[nightcat]

Maybe try this BBC messageboard?

www.bbc.co.uk/dna/mbouch