What It's Like: Part One (Physically)

      Today's entry could have a number of titles. The most apt title, however, is the one I gave it. I'm going to do my best to explain to you what it's like to have cerebral palsy. I can only speak from my own experience. CP's effects vary from person-to-person. My own experience has changed as I've aged.

My disability causes my muscles to be spastic. They are constantly tense and my movements can be slow and stiff. When I say "constant", I mean that literally. There's no time during my waking hours where some or all of my muscles aren't tense. This isn't fun or comfortable, but it's my normal. The discomfort can change to pain quickly and often does. Exercise and warmth are the only non-medicinal remedies for this pain. Spasticity can lead to contractures. Contractures are the permanent distortion of joints caused by shortened muscles. They can impair function if not treated with physical and other therapies.

The best way to describe having spastic CP is that is very much like something out of a children's book. I feel like my body is made of rubber bands. My muscles are tense all the time and when stretched they remain tight until they're fatigued. Unfortunately, working out doesn't keep spasms and tension away for as long as the amount of energy exerted would make one think.

 It'll all return home like an obnoxious neighbor four to five hours later. There are no bodily superpowers that you get with this thing either, I wish for that all too brief time I could gain some height. I've always been very short. That's not much fun. Ohhh better yet I wish it'd allow me to float or fly in the air! That'd be fun and transportation would be  a  breeze! No dice. Damn. PT bends you so much you'd think you were auditioning for some sort of live-action Stretch Armstrong play. Those of you who are too young to know what I'm talking about may now Google Stretch Armstrong or 80s toys!

In the end, I wouldn't trade the vast majority of my physical troubles for anything. I have known people who have dealt with and are dealing with far more difficult challenges. I have been given seemingly simple gifts that were never expected to be given to me. Despite a life of many difficulties both current and former, I am grateful. Everyone deals with something. Everyone. I believe that with hard work, love, faith(in a high power, yourself, or both), and a lot can be accomplished. Thank you for joining me. See you soon! 💓

Jen

Photo credit: Skalunda via Morguefile.com

Hello :)

Hello Everyone,

My name is Jennifer. I’m 40-years-old. I’m trained as a public relations professional but have interests in several areas. I’m a writer, advocate, improviser, and singer. Some of this, I have left and returned to, for various reasons over the last of twenty or so years.

There are other facts about me that you will learn as this blog progresses. For this first entry though, I thought I would introduce myself as a person and explain why I wanted to reboot this blog. My goals in starting this blog are not only to make people more aware regarding disability issues, it is to encourage younger people with or without disabilities to be more active in their own lives and communities.

By more active, I mean in any and every way possible, especially in person. This is particularly true for those of us with disabilities, I believe the more we’re seen the more we are heard.  I’m well aware of the misconceptions relating to disability, however, I feel this provides us with more reasons to live loudly in order to be heard and seen. Your interests don’t need to lie in the arts. If you are interested in conservation, why not join a local environment group? I’m a huge believer in action and participation.

Yes, I have cerebral palsy which is a group of disorders that influence how an individual’s brain functions in relation to movement. In some cases, it can affect speech, cognitive function, CP is a form of brain damage. It can occur before, during, and after birth. There are multiple types and there is no cure. If you would like more information please visit The Mayo Clinic Website.

In my case, I need help with daily personal care tasks, transportation, and household chores.  Throughout my required education, I was in general education classes. I utilized special education for personal care assistance and accommodations needed due to the physical limits of my disability.

This blog will largely operate as a collection of stories from my own life, as I remember them, both past and present. It may not always touch base with a disability-related connection, because I consider myself a person first and foremost. I hope it spreads knowledge, hope, and entertains. Thank you for reading this first entry. Please feel free to share.  I’ll “see” you soon!