Overprotectiveness should be avoided.

In the children's classic Heidi, Klara Sessemann, confined to a wheelchair and overprotected by her father, was virtually helpless until a visit to her friend in the Alps, during which she was encouraged to care for herself. in two weeks, she learned to walk. This might be fiction, but it nonetheless demonstrates what can happen when parents ease up on overprotecting a chronically ill offspring, indicates James Wenzl, professor of pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.

Overprotectiveness occurs quite often and "is a great disadvantage for the child, because it keeps the child from learning to maximize his or her abilities. The chronically ill child should be encouraged to be as active as possible, within the bounds of health. This applies to school, social activities, and sports."

The latter, in particular, can be tailored around the specific limitations of youngsters. Almost every kid can be involved in some type of athletic activity. Participating in sports serves the same purpose for chronically ill children as it does for healthy ones, providing a source of physical fitness, personal challenge, and self-worth, as well as a way to learn the basics of teamwork.

Most will try to achieve as much as possible, especially if they receive parental encouragememt. "Mental attitude is important here," Wenzl notes. "For example, I tel parents to think of their child as a healthy person with a kidney problem, rather than a kidney patient."

Those whose offspring often are ill may be tempted to care for the youngster at home...