10 Things Cerebral Palsy Has Taught Me

Mel Kennedy

Cerebral palsy is the name for a group of lifelong conditions that affect movement and co-ordination.

You’re going to be tired for no reason - it’s ok to take a minute

There’s nothing more annoying than walking around and suddenly needing a nap with no warning signs. It’s ok to take a minute to relax.

Mobility aids and shop aisles don’t mix

Walking through a clothes shop with your mobility aid hitting every piece of clothing or knocking them off is embarrassing (sorry to all the people working in retail).

Fashion and physical disability is a nightmare

Fashion doesn’t work in favour of disabled people and skinny jeans are no exception. Unless you want to force your callipers over the top of them, you buy a loose pair of sweatpants or jeans and save the skinny jeans for the good days. Nothing with small buttons or complicated straps!

Choose your drinks wisely

Walking is a nightmare, but trying to walk with one hand on a mobility aid and a burning hot drink in another is...painful. If you’re going to be walking, a cold drink is advisable, or at least a bottled drink to keep your hands on your mobility aid.

People want to know how it feels at least once a week

I know you mean no harm, but you have to remember that I’ve never known any different. I can’t explain how it feels because I’ve never not been disabled.

Some days you’ll be in pain, don’t beat yourself up over it

Some days my legs cause me agony, and that’s ok. It’s part of having the condition and it’s no one’s fault. You can take the time to heal.

Hot water bottles are your friend

Ok, this isn’t entirely a disability thing but a handy tip - aches and pains? Use a hot water bottle.

No, my disability is not in my head

Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder, yes, but most of the symptoms present as physical. My legs are my most affected limbs, though it affects every muscle in my body to an extent. So when I tell you how it puts me down sometimes, don’t tell me it’s all in my head - because these symptoms are real. My feelings are valid.

There are some things you can’t do

Leading on from point 8, people like to tell me that I can ‘do anything I set my mind to’ because my disability only limits me ‘if I let it’. No, I recognise my limitations. If I don’t feel like I can walk today, or if I tell you I’m struggling with something, accept it.

People think telling you there might be a cure one day makes you feel better. It doesn’t.

Perhaps the most important one of all. I don’t enjoy having cerebral palsy and I won’t pretend otherwise, and one of the main reasons is how people react to me. So please, telling me all about the amazing advancements in medical science and how ‘there might be a cure in my lifetime’ really doesn’t help. There’s nothing wrong with me as a human being, I just have an added condition. Treat me like one.