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| My Cerebral Palsy | ||
Cerebral palsy is something that you get when you are born. And you, you use devices. Like, I use braces. You just use the device to help you walk better. And you have to do exercises and you just have to work really hard to get the goals that you want to get in your life. That’s basically what it is. - Madison, 10 years old Well, physically I’ve got cerebral palsy, so I can’t run as fast as they can and I can’t exactly tie my shoes like they can. I can’t just get up and go like they can. - Ruby, 15 years old I walk with a limp. But other than that, I am the life of the party or of the day, to say the least. -David, 18 years old I don’t really like how the medical stuff is cut and dry. It doesn’t leave room for interpretation at all. Like, I’m coded quadriplegic. I’m not quadriplegic at all. I only have one arm that is affected, but they don’t have the term “triplegic.”* I tell people all the time triplegic and they’re like, “Huh?” And I’m like, “Well, I’m coded quad.” -Robert, 21 years old *Note: “Triplegic” is a term used by clinicians to refer to patients who experience paralysis affecting three out of four limbs. This term is used; however it is not used as frequently as the terms “diplegic” and “quadriplegic.” Even the simple things take more time Having cerebral palsy involves doing things with extra support, even the simple things take more time. For me, it is not easy for me to hold a cup of water with one hand and therefore I have to hold the cup of water with two hands. There are other simple things that will take more time to do than the average person, such as tying shoe laces, brushing your teeth, and doing and undoing a button. -Karthik, 27 years old
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Hospital Boston Department of Psychiatry. All Rights Reserved. The information on this website should not be taken as medical advice, which can only be given to you by your personal health care professional. Updated:April 26, 2009 |
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