Living with Cerebral Palsy

I was born two months premature in 1959. I weighed 3 pounds and was lucky incubators had just come into use. I wasn’t diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy until I was two years old. While I attended a ’special’ school until I was 10, I was mainstreamed and went on to graduate high school and college. My CP is fairly mild, I have gait, balance, and speech issues yet I’ve enjoyed a full life. I’ve been married to a non disabled man for 12 years, we have an eight year old son I gave birth to when I was 40 years old. I run a home based business, have held jobs, drive unmodified vehicles, own and ride a horse, pursue sports including bicycling, swimming, and amateur bodybuilding.

Yes, many people with CP have severe disabilities. But if your child has mild to moderate CP they can live a full and satisfying life. Do not be overprotective and encourage your child to meet challenges head on. If they fail at something remind them none of us are perfect. But let them try, they may surprise you.