Cerebral Palsy Help
Hello Everyone!
I’m having a pretty lazy day today, and all this time has got me thinking… our world and the people within it just make me so curious! I think that having CP has given me such a different perspective on everything, human interaction, and just how life operates in general. Why do we do the things we do? Or, just how different all are from each other? Everyone has goals, dreams, ups and downs. Sometimes I wonder if I am looked at as “different.” Because of my limp and clumsiness, do people stray away? Or are people intrigued by me? I would love to know what sets me apart from everyone else, if anything at all.
With school coming up, I had a chance to look back on my first two years of high school. My school has about 2800 kids, and coming from a 700 student middle school, that was quite intimidating! I remember walking in the first day, and just feeling so completely lost and overwhelmed. Although I had my brother and sister by my side, this what unlike anything they could ever relate to. I was like any other freshman, scared and confused; I felt alone. No one around me knew what it is like walking around with unwanted eyes looking at your legs, then at your face, all I saw was, “huh, that’s kinda weird how she walks.” And I couldn’t really manage an explanation. No matter what anyone said i always felt like that’s what people said in their minds. I was scared. I won’t lie. At first, I tried to make myself like high school, after all everyone makes it sound like high school is the best years of their lives! I could no longer pretend that I did anymore, and after the first two weeks, i just broke down and cried. I was scared for a long time, What do people think of me? Why does it have to be like this? I could not seem to get the hang of this new school, and all these new and intimidating people that couldn’t help but stare as I walked by sometimes. That’s understandable, we are all curious human beings.
After awhile, I started to warm up to all the things that my school had to offer. I realized I could take these new classes, with new people, and I began to open up and let them know that it is ok to ask about my CP. To my surprise, people accepted me for who I was no matter how I appeared and I gained a new found confidence! Although, I still have occasional doubt about whether or not I fit in. But I don’t think that’ll ever go away, it’s just something that comes along with having Cerebral Palsy. It’s a day to day process, and I know I’ll figure it all out somehow.
To this day, I am glad that I was able to open up and let people in, because now I am involved in so much at school, and a part of so many people’s lives. This year, as a junior, I will be welcoming the freshman class in a program called Link Crew; which is this group of upperclassman who provide guidance that freshman can seek throughout the year. I know it will be a very gratifying experience because of what I went through that first awkward year! My high school experience has been rough, stressful, and scary, yet I have experienced such personal growth that I now see it as fun, exciting, and full of surprises! I hope to make these next two years just as unique as the first two, and become ready for the adventures that college brings!
Do you have any school stories to tell? The good or the bad, fun or sad? Please, do tell!
It’s Wednesday… one day closer to the weekend!
Stay happy and healthy 
-Katy
