I received an email from the Cerebral Palsy Foundation. In conjunction with their "Just Say Hi" Campaign, which shows videos of people with CP as well as non-disabled people telling the best ways to start a conversation with someone who has a disability. (For me the best way to start a conversation is to say hi. Then, tell me what your favorite book, classic television show or Cher song is.) They also wanted to know how Cerebral Palsy impacts your life. There was a blank space on the submission form for my story, but I felt it was a good blog topic. I hope no one at the CPF will mind.
I have Spastic Cerebral Palsy. All four of my limbs are affected. I have been given the label of Severely Disabled. When I was little friends were able to walk with crutches. They tried to teach me how to walk with crutches, but because I didn't have balance, if the therapist lot go of me I would fall. I need assistance with just about everything. And, because, many people with Cerebral Palsy are mentally challenged as well, I am constantly having to prove to others that I have a good mind and make my own decisions. All of this sucks.
Some days I deal with my limitations better than others. But there is one thing that is the most difficult for me to deal with. Not being able to take myself to the bathroom without assistance is the worst part of having CP for me. It limits what I can do. Sometimes it takes forever for someone to come and help me/ It is so frustrating. There are some days when having CP is exhausting both physically and emotionally.
I am thankful that even though I have CP, God gave me a good mind. I can think and put my thoughts and ideas in this blog and share them with you.
I think having CP has made me more sensitive to the struggles others may be having. I accept peoples differences. We can learn something new every day from someone else. We just have to listen.
People have told me how much I inspire them. That makes me feel uncomfortable. I am not doing anything that unique or special. I am just living my life. Just like all of you.
Having CP and living in a facility has made me appreciate the assistance I receive from the staff. I hope I am more humble. I took the help I received, when I lived in my house, for granted. I take nothing for granted now. And, I never forget to say thank you to anyone helping me.
My CP is neither a blessing or a curse. It is my disability. I continue to deal with it and learn new things from it every day.
When I was little I couldn't draw. I had difficulty coloring too. I could say my not being able to stay inside the lines meant that I was more creative than the other kids in my class, but i was six years old, all I cared about was being to do what the other kids in my class were doing.
All I could do was draw circles and scribble. The teacher wanted us to draw and paint. How could I do that? I was having enough difficulty trying to print the name. When I did try to draw the other children laughed at my efforts.
I would beg my mother to teach me to draw, but she couldn't draw either. My grandmother showed me how to draw a house, grass, the sky, trees, flowers, and some stick figures. Finally, I could draw pictures like everyone in my class!
When I began using an electric typewriter I learned to draw a Christmas tree using it. An older student, who typed with a headpiece that had a pencil sticking out of it, could draw more elaborate pictures with the typewriter than I could. I was happy with the Christmas Card I made for my parents My Christmas tree was on the front of it.
I am always looking for new Kindle apps. When I heard about an app called Colorfy that allows you to color pictures on your Kindle, I knew I had to check it out. I love using this app. It lets me put different color combinations together to create beautiful designs. I can finally stay inside the lines.
Coloring. it is such a simple thing. As a child coloring was not fun for me. But, as an adult, thanks to Colorfy, I am learning how much fun coloring can be.
