Best/Worst thing about CP? - Cerebral Palsy Message Board

Steffers2318 · 06-02-2005, 01:32 PM

Hey, I was just curious to get eveyone's opinion about the one thing you see as the worst about CP, and one way it is good...

Other than the physical stuff--wearing out at an earlier age, etc. (because I think we would all prefer not having to deal with that

), for me I'd hafta say the worst thing is stereotypes. By that I mean a lot of people (not everyone, but a lot of people) assume that because you're in a wheelchair or whatever, you're also mentally slow or deaf or something

. I guess a result of that, in my experience anyways, is people will talk to whomever I'm with about me, instead of talking directly to me...like, "What does she want to eat?" ...THAT ANNOYS ME TO NO END.

Anyway, for the best thing I would have to say that it has made me a very positive person. My attitude with a lot of things, including CP, is, "It's not so bad, it could be a lot worse, I have dealt with a lot tougher stuff so this is nothing".

You guys aren't allowed to say the same things as me

...nah, just kidding, I just thought it'd be interesting to see what you guys have to say!!

Midget · 06-02-2005, 10:22 PM

I can't think of any negative things about it actually...but I can think of some good things...

Firstly, looking back, I realized threw all the adaptive skiing, climbing, etc...my CP has taught me about thinking out of the box. I have transferred this thougth process to my life as a whole. Also, it's giving me the attitude that you just have to try and try again, and never give up...and probably some more stuff I'll think of Later. :P

NJenn · 06-03-2005, 03:48 PM

Love this thread, Steffers! Hope more people chime in.

Here's my shortlist:

Best things? Learning empathy towards elderly people and others with disabilities at a young age, that "thinking out of the box" mentality that Midget mentioned, growing up determined and headstrong because of CP, having people generally remember me, teaching myself how to walk independently when no one thought I could. Free meters and close parking spots are cool too!

Not so good things? That generalized lack of expectation that some people have of me because I am disabled. When I granduated high school, it was my face plastered all over the front page of the local paper (and we all know why). When I graduated with my master's that same local paper wanted to do a feature on me. I politely turned them down, saying that people get higher degrees all the time-- it's really not news. Aging with CP definitely sucks. If I knew then what I know now, I would have treated my body differently in my teen years. I hate not knowing how I'm going to function in my "golden years." Big, bulky AFOs suck, and so do condescending doctor types who know less than I do. The staring and condescending comments are somewhat non-applicable to me in my daily life-- I'm lucky enough to live in a very liberal, "live and let live" city. But, all in all, I think if I had to have some sort of neuromuscular disability, there are much worse diagnoses than moderately involved spastic diplegia.

BTW, here's my favorite quote about disability:

"Disability is not a great struggle or 'courage in the face of adversity.' Disability is an art. It's an ingenious way to live." -- Neil Marcus

How's that for out of the box thinking?

Have a good weekend!

Nicki

Steffers2318 · 06-04-2005, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJenn

Love this thread, Steffers! Hope more people chime in.

me too

Quote:

Here's my shortlist:
...having people generally remember me...

LOL, that happens to me too...

Quote:

Not so good things? That generalized lack of expectation that some people have of me because I am disabled. ... But, all in all, I think if I had to have some sort of neuromuscular disability, there are much worse diagnoses than moderately involved spastic diplegia.

Yeah, that's generally what I was saying too, for the good and bad. In a way, though, after I thought about it I decided the stereotypes were a good thing too, because they push me to prove people wrong...I love the look on some people's faces when I do something I'm not "supposed" to able to do, whether it be academic or something like opening a door by myself.

I guess this is gonna sound corny, but I'm really glad I found these boards.

I'd never really talked to other disabled people before, but I think doing so has helped me not care as much about what other people think, and be more comfortable with things.

Quote:

"Disability is not a great struggle or 'courage in the face of adversity.' Disability is an art. It's an ingenious way to live." -- Neil Marcus

Hmm, that's a good one, I might steal that for my profile...but, stupid question--who's Neil Marcus?