Cerebral Palsy: Misunderstood,

Living With One Hand:

A recent conversation at the local gym left me surprised and made me wonder what others thought about the following situation:

I have Athetoid Cerebral Palsy which means I can control my arm about 60%.  I can wave hello to a passerby and turn on a light switch with my left hand – but that is about it.  My life with Cerebral Palsy has not stopped me yet… I invited my therapists to come watch me play soccer and basketball as I grew up.  I played the piano with my elbow, and I graduated college with my Masters in Occupational Therapy. 

The challenge I faced at the gym started as a simple conversation – she asked if I was married, to which I replied “yes, almost two years now.”  Then she asked a question that was more like a statement – “So would you abort if you got pregnant?” 

Other Developmental Disorders

The following information was found at firstsigns.org.  Please comment at the end to share personal stories regarding these various syndromes!

Although developmental and behavioral disorders are increasingly widespread, they are still poorly understood by most of society. The lack of knowledge is further compounded by the stigma that often accompanies a diagnosis of a developmental or behavioral disorder. Parents and physicians can educate themselves and others about the range of disorders, as well as the opportunities for treatment and intervention. Whether a child has a developmental delay or disorder, early identification and intervention are essential for achieving the best possible outcome. Click "read more" to continue