Ten Things You Never Knew about Cerebral Palsy (or Were Too Embarrassed to Ask)
When I started writing this article, I was thinking, ‘What do I know about CP? I’m just a woman who tries to ignore that side of things and get on with life.’ I always have been, and I maintain that a gentle, light ignorance of ones weaknesses is probably as good a way as any to get the best from life, which often feels fickle, even in our happiest moments. But the more I wrote, the more I found myself remembering details and ideas. I found lots to write about.
Being disabled has made me rather more introverted than is perhaps best, so actually raising my head and noticing that others are often interested and keen to learn more about CP and about disability in general, is a great way to widen my perspective. And I am so pleased if I can add humour to a subject that many people shy away from, feeling unsure and awkward. Life is variable and not really awkward, but because we are wary of being explicit, misunderstandings crop up all over the place. I try to write these out, so that I can more easily learn to accept my failings, without falling into the trap of hating myself.
One of the annoying things about CP is that it is as variable as we are. One of the wonderful things about CP is that it is as variable as we are….. which can make it difficult to explain.
For giving me the opportunity to explain, I am indebted to Lucy Walton-Lange, Editor at FemaleFirst who has published my blog post ‘Ten Things You Never Knew about Cerebral Palsy (or Were Too Embarrassed To Ask)’ on 13th May. Thank you, Lucy!
If you have any questions or comments, please do add them at FemaleFirst, or contact me.
Thanks for reading
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May 20, 2015 @ 2:26 pm
Done! Great points, Fran. I had to get to FemaleFirst Magazine through Google, and then search for the title of your article–which popped it up with your smiling face! I think going through the back door was more about my computer’s security jitters than anything else. Bottom line: It was well worth the effort. Many thanks.
Elouise
May 20, 2015 @ 2:48 pm
Dear Elouise
Thanks so much for your comment. I’m sorry you had such a bother to find this article. I post everything on my website to FB and Twitter, so if you have these accounts, you might find it easier to read posts from there. I would love to link up with you on FB.
Bless you! XXX 😀
May 20, 2015 @ 6:51 pm
Hey Fran! Someday if I have the courage to take on FB and we’re both still kicking, I’ll be there for you! David is on FB. It’s enough, believe me! I’m the kind who would get consumed by it–or, more likely, overwhelmed. Too much input…. Which is why I don’t do Twitter, either. At least not now.
Elouise
May 21, 2015 @ 12:11 pm
As long as I can find you on your blog :-))))
May 22, 2015 @ 10:31 pm
Great article… different things to what I would have said for “10 things you never knew about CP” but then we have very different experiences of CP.
But I think the accepted definition of CP is “not unchanging” rather than non progressive because most people with CP do find the affects of ageing hit them sooner – the actual CP doesn’t get worse but the way it manifests can is my understanding of current wisdom
May 22, 2015 @ 10:41 pm
Thanks so much, Emma!
Terminology seems to change all the time, doesn’t it? I have tried to make the point obliquely, that the effects of wear and tear can accelerate ageing, as they have with me.
Yes, indeedy.
Lots of love, Fran xxx 🙂