Hello March, Hello Women’s History Month, Hello Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month. Yes, in case you didn’t know Cerebral Palsy like many disabilities has its own awareness month. I wanted to shine a light on this because I have Cerebral Palsy, but more importantly, I feel like it is a disability not many people know a lot about. In addition, I’m sure there are a few people who have this disability but don’t know there is a month dedicated to awareness and pride.
Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month: The History Behind It All
Cerebral Palsy may have an awareness month like several other disabilities, but there is still so much we don’t know about the disability or how it affects the human body. However there are things that we do know and to kick off this month of celebrating awareness, I wanted to delve into the history of Cerebral Palsy a bit. According to Cerebral Palsy.org, Doctor William John Little studied the disability in the mid 19th Century. Technological advances have helped increase the lifespan of those with this disability and others and well as make progress towards redefining what it means to live with a disability. Nonetheless, we still have a very long way to go.
My Experiences With Cerebral Palsy Information & Disability Pride
I don’t remember if my parents ever sat me down and talked about my disability in terms of the medical jargon, though my mom was adamant that I not let my disability hinder me where possible, still it was hard. I had a few friends who also had Cerebral Palsy thanks to school and that no doubt made experiences easier because we could talk about successes only people with disabilities would understand in addition to struggles. My friends and I always tried to find the humor in moments if we could and trust me, there were a lot of laughs, some of which I’ll share on this blog and social media this month.
Any time I look back on those memories, I can’t help but laugh as if I’m living them again, especially when something similar happens to me now. It wasn’t until these friends and I were high schoolers that we really talked about some of the issues with disability awareness and the impact the lack of information has on stereotypes and mindsets. I started turning in homework assignments and projects in moments of Cerebral Palsy awareness when possible.
Despite all this, blogging and connecting with other people with disabilities is where I learned more about my disability and how to be truly proud of the journey it’s taken me on, yes, there have been struggles, more than I can count, and there will, of course, be countless more. That being said, I know that my disability is a part of me, part of my story, but not the whole book. I know I should be proud of it and I am.
If you want to read more content on my experiences with disability and Cerebral Palsy click on the links below.
Related: Cerebral Palsy Blog Posts
~Cerebral Palsy: Thank You For Making Me, Me
~Disability Pride Month: Why I Am Proud To Be A Woman With A Disability
~4 Things I Would Tell My Teenage Self About Living With A Disability
~The Reality Of Living With A Physical Disability: My Broken Lift Story
Well, now you know more about Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month and my experiences with it, I am excited to kick off this month and I hope you come follow me on Instagram where I’ll be posting daily content throughout the month, (at least the goal anyway.)
Until Next Time
~Kim
