On Living with Cerebral Palsy

[twop_tjl]

As most of you probably know, I suffer from Cerebral Palsy (CP). It isn't something I generally talk about, but I've decided to put down in words some of my past and present experiences of living with CP. I may have mentioned portions of this before, but I think this is the first time I've actually thought through all of this.

Comments

[squaringkarma]

This has been enlightening, thank you for sharing your experience, tjl.

[twop_tjl]

You're welcome, it was good to get it all sorted out in my head and written down which was the main reason I wrote it. If other people get something out of it, all the better.

[modlin]

This is interesting. Thanks for posting.

Actually I was just reading about CP the other day, because some friends of mine just had a baby who has some brain damage. They really don't know how bad it is yet, but we were wondering if it could be CP or something like it.

[twop_tjl]

You're welcome. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. For me, the brain damage has been minimized compared to when it was first found.

[catatonia00]

There are so many things I admire about you. Even when you're struggling in pain you shine with so much fortitude. Thank you for opening up something so personal.

[twop_tjl]

You're welcome. I'm actually quite a mess, I just do my best not to show it.

[bspalek]

I know that couldn't be easy for you to write about, but it is interesting to learn some more personal stuff about you. I love when people make personal posts that alow you to learn more about who they are in so called "real life. " I really admire you, and I don't think you give yourself enough credit for being such a strong person.

[twop_tjl]

Well, I had mentioned having CP before, but realized that I hadn't really talked about it. In fact, it isn't something I talk to people about at all.

I noticed after I posted that there is still a bunch of things I left out, mainly because I don't think about them until they crop up. One of them is the fact that cutting my fingernails on my right hand is really difficult.

I'm not really that strong, I just have a lot of practice hiding how much of a mess I really am.

[ora_wai]

This was a lovely post that explained a lot. Although I know a fair bit about CP, people's experiences with it are what make it real.

I noticed that you have said that you are usually a mess, but something that I wanted to share with you is that strength of character is only tested under adversity; to be living with constant adversity and difficulty shows that you are strong in yourself and that is what makes you, you.

What thing did you note today that made you smile? It was clear blue skies here today which reminds me of summer and warmth. And strawberries oddly. All things that make me smile. YOU?

[twop_tjl]

I don't deal with the adversity as well as people may think.

As for something that made me smile, I can't think of anything. In fact, I can't remember the last thing that made me smile. I don't really have a lot to smile about.