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

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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 re...

My Story: Living with Cerebral Palsy, Part I: Birth and Early Childhood

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I was born prematurely on September 12, 1996. That day, as being 32 weeks pregnant,  my mama underwent an emergency c-section because she had miserable pains in her bump after admitting to the hospital two days before. I FINALLY made it @ 11:54 am! I weighed 5 lbs 5 oz. Shortly after my birth, I suffered from a traumatic stroke as a result of my diagnosis of cerebral palsy which leaves me unable to speak on my own. Me as a newborn baby girl.  Me as a newborn baby girl with my daddy  Me as a newborn baby girl with my mama  Me as a newborn baby girl Cerebral Palsy is a neurological disorder caused by brain damage which affects my ability to move, walk, and speak. The disorder also affects muscle coordination and balance. There’s no known cure for CP. However, people with cerebral palsy will need a wide range of medical care, therapies (physical therapy, occupational therapy, and/or speech therapy), mobility aids such as walking aids and wheelchairs, and/or assistive te...