Keep Your Stick on the Ice.

In my family, we have a saying and it goes like this: keep your stick on the ice. As I sit down to write this blog post, my dad's words were playing back and forth in my head like a tape recorder. Today is World Cerebral Palsy Day. When I think of Cerebral Palsy, I don't think about the fact that it is a neurological disorder that causes my muscles to be stiff.  Instead, my mind automatically drifts to the idea that even though my different ability has created both physical and emotional challenges, it has in many ways made my life better. There are times where I wonder whether I would be who I am without cerebral palsy. It has taught me a multitude of lessons that I probably would not have had the opportunity to learn without it.

To me, keep your stick on the ice holds a special meaning , because it reminds me to keep pushing forward, even when the going gets tough. My experiences have taught me to have patience, to love more, to laugh a little harder,  to live life to the fullest, and to never let anything hold you back. Take risks and seek new experiences, even if it scares the heck out of you.

There may some details about my life that are a little different from the average person. Like the fact that I use a power chair for  mobility, or I get stuck in the elevators because I have trouble opening the door. ( This actually happened to me last week)  All of those things aside, I live a pretty normal life. I want people to know that just because someone has cerebral palsy

or any other disability does not mean that you should feel sorry for us.  We should raise awareness about disability, so that we all have what we need to live life to our full potental.

I am happy. I love my life, and I would not trade it for anything.