In Control Of My Uncontrollable Body - Life With Cerebral Palsy

     Have you ever caught yourself asking that?  At your desk with a pile of bills in front of you?  At the kitchen table as you notice your plate is almost empty, but you know you can eat a little more?   At the grocery store when your cart is overflowing with unnecessary items?  In your car as you're pushing the speed limit hoping no police are around?   At a gas station while you watch your money you worked hard for is quickly slipping away?      So, how much is too much?  We seem to be asking that question more and more.  We are all stressed out and tired and just want to go home, lay back in our favorite chair and do what we love.  Maybe it's catching up on your TV show, watching movies, surfing the web, drawing, reading, knitting, writing, or just taking a nap.   We go to work or school all day and would just want to relax but we might have to run the kids around, do some errands, ...

    If you're disabled, the title tells it all.  Have you ever been stared at for periods of time?  Have you been called a "freak" behind your back?   Have you ever thought you were the center of attention, in a bad way?  When children ask, "what happen to him/her?"  Do the parent just take their arms and walk away as you can hear nothing but false they tell their kids?  I'm guessing you have experienced many, many of these situations, way too often.     Kids are very curious and want to know more about something that intrigues them.  A wheelchair isn't what you see on a regular basis, none the less a power wheelchair moving by itself...?  Kids and people are very confused when they see me.  They stare and look the chair over until they figure out how I operate my chair, and yet some just ignore me as much as they can.  Some responses are different then others and everyone has their own opinion.  I use...

    It was an ordinary, hot, summer day.  School was out, our pool was open, took four-wheeler rides at night, grilled burgers, laid in the hammock for hours on end, practiced soccer in the barn, roosted hot dogs and marshmallows on the bond fire, and walked my dog every evening.  These are what my summers are like; close to perfect, I would have to say yes!  Today, God put life in perspective as near tragedy struck.      At the time, I had a Black Labrador named A.J.  We found him in the newspaper in the animal shelter section.  We went up to town to see him and all seven of his brothers and sisters.  I remember going inside and they all ran away to the far corner.  They were terrified of my power chair.  They were about nine weeks old and pretty good sized, very adorable, and chubby!  As the lady talked and told us more about them and how they were found in a trash can, I kept looking at their a...

     During the winter, I get what they call the "winter blues."  Each winter morning I have to pry myself out of my warm, cozy bed.  I know in my mind I need to get up, but I really don't have the urge to.  As I lay on my bed and my mom dresses me, I look outside at the snow, gloomy grey skies, and trees that are blowing in the cold wind.  I just want to roll back over and go back to sleep, especially the nights when I'm up most of the night.      Today was different.  I was still tired but as I woke up, I was greeted by the sunshine shining in on me.  As I slowly roll on to my back, I looked out with my eyes squinted as the sun is hitting me right in the face and saw green grass and blue skies.  Instantly I felt a smile brewing, a hint of excitement and I thanked God for this much needed sunshine.  It almost was like it was just for me, almost like He knew I needed sunshine.  My mom came in to d...

I know what you are probably thinking right now as you start to read this.  You're probably thinking you have better things you could be doing than to sit here and read this brief story about a disabled person.  For example watching TV, listening to your Ipod, reading your favorite book, being outside, playing with your pets or spending time with your family and friends.  Am I right?  Or are you wrong?  Think about that just for a second.         I'll give you a brief summary of what Cerebral Palsy is.  Cerebral Palsy, also known as CP, effects the body's nervous system.  CP also effects muscle control, like standing still - is difficult.   It can make fine-motor skills very hard to do.  For example: eating, talking, bathing, toileting, learning, picking things up and moving parts of the body.  There are three types of Cerebral Palsy: spastic Cerebral Palsy- causes stiffness and movement difficulties.  Athetoid...