I'm new here too! - Cerebral Palsy Message Board

JarradC · 08-06-2006, 01:22 AM

Hi my name is Jarrad. I have mild Cerebral Palsy that mostly affects my left side so I can walk and talk it's just mainly the pysical part that takes it out of me. When I was six I had major hip surgery and I've had surgery on my left foot and I've had tendon realeases. I used to use a K-walker until year six and I also use a wheelchair for long distances. When I was little I tried to use crutches but I didn't have the balance for them. I live in Australia in a little mining town called Newman. I go to a mainstream school and most of the kids at my school don't have disabilties. I am about to have Botox in my left arm. I started doing weights in year 7 to improve my stamina and just recently I have taken up boxing training to improve my balance. Sports is ok but not really that fun sometimes because all the other kids just pass it to each other but not to you. My main hobbies are sport, watching movies, games and going out.

Jarrad , Australia

CPchick · 08-06-2006, 11:22 PM

Welcome! I use/d a K-Walker occasionally too. You sound simillar to me CP-wise. I use crutches for short distances and a wheelchair for everything else.

Sports wise, have you heard of boccia? I play it and it's really awesome, specifically designed for people with CP.

I'm in New Zealand, look foward to getting to know you.

Midget · 08-07-2006, 02:21 AM

Hi and welcome to the boards. Here you well find a community of support and sharing of information, from young perspectives and older-adult perspectives. I don't know what grade 7 is equivelant to the United States, but it makes me tink you are on the younger end the spectrum. It's nice to see more people coming here.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I have!

JarradC · 08-07-2006, 02:57 AM

I hadn't heard of it until you told me, so I looked it up and it and it looked really fun to play but I'm not sure if they have any tournaments in Perth. I might have to check it out next time I'm down there. Did you know in the 2004 Boccia National Championships there was lots of winners from New Zealand?

I went ten pin bowling once with two people who had Cerebal Palsy who were 16 and 18 and one also used crutches, and the other used a cane. We had trouble using the ball but they had this special ball with a handle that would snap back in after you used it. We beat all the AB people!

Have you heard of that band INXS? I going to my first rock concert when I get my Boxtox done in Perth!

Hope to talk to you soon.

Jarrad,

JarradC · 08-07-2006, 06:18 AM

Actually we finish primary school at year 7 (12 yrs old) and start highschool at year 8 (13 yrs old) in Australia