A Big Step in a Positive Direction

(From Saturday, June 9, 2012) 


When you're dealing with Cerebral Palsy, you often have to deal with things that most do not. Things that may not be a big deal to some are huge deals for you. One of those things for me is t he ability to cross the street, which I lost a few years ago after nearly being hit by a car when I had the right away. 

For the first time in five years, I was able to cross the street that has been plaguing me, by myself, without my friends holding my hand. I had to use the walker, but I guess that's okay. I tend to think of the walker as a smaller version of a power chair. You see those all the time with people getting across the street. The walker's just a bit more primitive. 

So I've gotten used to the fact that this is h ow i cross the street. I look forward ot a time where I learn the bus schedule. ^^ That is my next step in independence.

Introduction Part 2

From the time I was able to walk, Mom knew that something wasn't right. Even though I was walking, my legs were knocking together, in other words, my legs were turning inward. This caused me to be unstable in my movement.

Mom enrolled me into early preschool at Brockman Elementary School for the Disabled. That is where I began to develop my early social life, along with confidence in walking. I met teachers and Physical Therapists that would follow me for the remainder of my elementary school career.

Two of the most important people in my therapy were Ms. Susan and Ms. Barbara Wahl. The two of them were instrumental in my early muscular development. Brockman was also where I learned how to read a little bit.

Brockman provided Mom a support group, too. She became and advocate for disabled families on Fort Jackson, which didn't have a program like that. With help from Brockman, Mom founded a program called ACS with Mrs. Cheryl Jackson. She also founded the first Girl Scout troop for disabled girls. It was a lot of fun. The crafts we did were designed to help us with our various degrees of occupational therapy.

I stayed with Brockman until I was four. I was transferred to another type of school. This school was known as Easter Seals. What Mom and I didn't know was that this is where my true independence would begin.

And here, I will stop with the history. From here on, I will be sharing my current experiences. I hope you will continue to join me for this journey.