My Story: Living with Cerebral Palsy, Part II: School Years

If you missed reading my story about birth and early childhood, you should read "My Story: Living with Cerebral Palsy, Part I: Birth and Early Childhood". I am sharing the second part of my story with all of you. The second part of my story addresses how I navigated my school years with cerebral palsy.

I attended the Perlman Center at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital for preschool. The Perlman Center provides children with cerebral palsy and other physical conditions that can help them live full life. They also support adults with cerebral palsy and other physical conditions. They have great programs such as preschool education, assistive technology, and supportive therapy. I loved the preschool program. I enjoyed spending time with my classmates. I learned to read at age 3 and spell at age 5. I encountered an elderly pediatrician and volunteer, Dr. Peerless during my preschool years. He would walk in and sit with me each and every time. We headed to my house for dinner. I really enjoyed spending time with him. He died in December 2006. Dr. Peerless was such a sweet, kind-hearted, compassionate, and caring volunteer. When I graduated from the Perlman Center, I wore a pink sleeveless dress- that’s my favorite color. I used a walker to walk on the stage and I finally got a preschool diploma. One day, I would visit the Perlman Center to be a guest speaker and inspire kids of all physical abilities to learn to pursue their dreams and goals like “normal” people. 

Me as a preschooler at The Perlman Center with an aide. 

Me as a preschooler sitting on the couch with a kind elderly pediatrician and volunteer named Dr. Peerless. 

My preschool graduation ceremony @ The Perlman Center

I joined the Oak Hills Local Schools District in Cincinnati in 2002 as a kindergartener. I started using a communication device called DynaVox at that time. The device allowed me to press simple words and letters through AAC and then press the speak button to speak directly from the device. 

My first day of kindergarten

I took general education classes through K-12. I had an aide that helped me complete my studies in school. I also had PT, OT, and Speech Therapy throughout my school years. I was incredibly gifted throughout my school years. Many teachers understood how I used my limitations to learn everything in every class.  My best subjects were Math, Science, and Art because of my excellent intelligence and creativity. English was the most difficult subject for me. Sometimes I would feel frustrated or anxious when I do assignments in English classes because I have struggled with my writing skills for most of my time. But, I needed help and advice from tutors, teachers, and especially my parents so which helped me improve my writing skills. As overcoming my struggles with writing skills. I was determined to be able to do my best to complete every assignment in every class, especially in English.

At age 8, my artistic capabilities were recognized as my detailed self-portrait painting won the best in a category at the OHLSD Fine Arts Festival. I loved painting. All of my artistic experiences have made me realize that I have the talent to become a fashion designer and entrepreneur -  a dream of mine since kindergarten. I took numerous fashion design and graphic design classes at Oak Hills High School. When I was in a fashion design class during my sophomore year of high school, my first sewing project was a scarf made of old shirts - dark peach and aqua blue. My teacher taught me to have pride in my work. She thought it was so fabulous and it was displayed in the school hall. I felt so special and it was one of my favorite fashion memories. I learned how to use Adobe Creative Software at that time. Therefore, I discovered that I have a true talent for graphic design which makes it another huge passion of mine. The use of digital technology including graphic design is essential to me and it has helped me find a creative voice and approach my creative capabilities. 

My Detailed Self-Portrait Painting - age 8 

My Scarf -  a fashion design class during my sophomore year @ Oak Hills High School 

I started using an iPad during my junior year of high school. iPad has changed my life. It’s a powerful device that enables me to navigate web browsers, essential apps, and amazing games, and speak directly to people by tapping, swiping, typing, and dragging on the screen with the use of my right hand. I replaced my old communication device (I used the device to complete my academic studies) with my iPad. 

Throughout my academic career at OHLSD, I finally received many excellent achievements and accomplishments including Art Award and the National Honor Society in order to overcome my disability. I graduated from Oak Hills High School with “highest” honors in 2015. I’m profoundly proud to be an alumni of Oak Hills.   

My Senior Portrait 

My High School Graduation Portrait 

Me inducted into the National Honors Society @ Oak Hills High School

This is the end of my blog post… In this blog post, I shared my journey of living with Cerebral Palsy from preschool to high school graduation, Those school years were filled with amazing memories. My academic experiences have fueled my passion for fashion, graphic design, and digital technology, and I’m still chasing my dreams!  

 

Thank you for reading this blog post. I hope you enjoyed reading it. Please share this blog post with your community and leave your comments below. I would appreciate your support. 

❤️ Marisa