" A Day Without Laughter is a Day not Lived"

I learned from an amazing individual today that a day without laughter is a day not lived. I am sure that we have all been told that everything happens for a reason at some point in our lives. To be honest, there was definitely a point in my life where I didn't care about purpose or reason because, to me there was no good reason why I was born with CP. Why was I created this way? is a question that has gone through my head only about a gazillion times. I still find myself asking myself that question especially when I have a bad day. The truth is there has been times where all I have done is focused on the negative aspects rather than making the choice to focus on the positive aspects of my life. Being angry with my circumstances took so much effort. A block in the road does not mean that life is over. The beauty of this wonderful life is that we have choices. My two choices were either to continue focusing on the negative, or to wake up everyday and live life to the fullest according to what each day has to offer. I am not disabled I am differently abled. I can do the same things as everyone else just in a different way, I might have to try a little harder.

The point is, life isnt about what we cannot do. It is about making the best of what I have got even if it is not always easy. One of the things that I use to help me get through some challenging times is laughter because, it is a great coping mechanism. I have Cerebral Palsy and will still have it when I am old and gray. My disability

is it is not going away so I might as well make the best of it. I have a t- shirt that is blue and it has the handicapped parking placard on it and the caption underneath says I am in it for the parking. As weird as it sounds there are advantages to being a wheelchair such as front row parking. Lol!

On a more serious note, if I was given the opportunity to walk tomorrow I would not hesitate. However, I would'nt trade the lessons that I have learned for anything. I am who I am today because I have Cerebral Palsy. Having a disability has taught me to see life in a different and refreshing perspective that most people may never get to see. For that, I am very grateful. Days like today put what I have learned into perspective and all I did was spend the day with a group of amazing individuals who reminded me that it is the little things in life that are of the most value. Things like laughter.