Popcorn and Cerebral Palsy Don't Mix!

Uncertainty. I don’t think it is comforting feeling for any of us. I don’t like to sugar coat things, so I am not going to. I hate uncertainty. I hate not knowing what is going to happen next. I hate feeling powerless. I hate not knowing how my current challenges will affect my future. I hate waiting for answers. Sometimes, I hate Cerebral Palsy, and the nature of my disorder.

May is Canadian Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month. My journey with Cerebral Palsy has taught me that life is full of uncertainty. However, mixed in with that uncertainty is times of pure joy, an abundance of laughter, peace and opportunities for adventure. It’s up to you to look beyond that uncertainty for the things that bring those elements of happiness and positivity to your life. The decision is yours!

Last week, my co- workers and I had the opportunity to take the children we work with at the Out of School Care program to our local theatre to watch a movie. On this particular day, my muscles were so rigid that my legs were stretched straight out for the majority of the afternoon. I was so shaky. I felt as though someone had forced me to eat six bags of candy before we arrived at the theatre. When a child asked me if I could hold her half- empty popcorn bucket and her water bottle, so that she could go retrieve her jacket, I did not hesitate. As she ran into the theatre, one of the parents came to pick up her child.

Can you guess what happened next?

That’s right. I got excited. As I went to give her a hug, my body involuntarily went into spasm mode, and I managed to dump the popcorn and water all over her. In the midst of my utter embarrassment, my colleague, Kathy looked at both of us and said, “I guess popcorn and Cerebral Palsy don’t mix.” Then, we burst out laughing. I love humor. I would go so far as to say that it is one of the things I thrive on. It makes situations like this so much easier to deal with. Her comment was exactly what I needed.

I know that sometimes it can be extremely difficult to refrain from letting our feelings of fear, doubt, pain and uncertainty from occupying our thoughts. It’s important to let ourselves feel those emotions. It’s okay to be upset. It’s okay to be worried, but if we dwell on those feelings, chances are we will miss out on the awesome moments that make this life so great!