CP and Me – Living with Cerebral Palsy
Posted by Trisston on Monday, May 17th, 2010
Trisston and her mom, Clara - two tough cookies!
August 12, 1975. That’s the day I was born, and that’s the day a part of me died. Let me explain. My mother had a very difficult delivery. Her blood pressure climbed so high that she went into cardiac arrest and stopped breathing. My birth position was breech, which placed additional stress on us both. Doctors and nurses scrambled to deliver me and save my mother’s life. When I was born, I didn’t cry. The medical team continued to work until both my mother and I took a breath.
Thankfully, we both recovered. However, I was deprived of oxygen for long enough that my brain was damaged. For the rest of my life, I’d live with a condition called Cerebral Palsy. CP is not hereditary or genetic. It’s not contagious or progressive. CP affects each individual differently, from quite mildly to severely, depending on which part of the brain was affected by a lack of oxygen.
In my case, my fine-motor skills and ability to balance for walking was compromised. As a result, I use a motorized scooter for mobility, and I’ve learned to use straws when having a drink. My husband, Brian, also has CP (which affects him with a small gait in his walk and a speech impediment). Neither of us allows CP to slow us down or prevent us from living life to its fullest.
From time to time, people ask us both, “How do you deal with your disability?” My simple response is, “I have a disability, a condition called Cerebral Palsy, but it certainly does not have me!” In case you have not noticed, I truly believe a positive attitude is essential to leading a productive, meaningful life.
Products like my scooter and my BraunAbility Entervan certainly help me enjoy and truly experience life. Perhaps the famous Henry David Thoreau said it best when he penned one of the most expressive prayers of ambition and living life to the fullest:
“Great God, I ask Thee for no meaner pelf
Than that I may not disappoint myself,
That in my action I may soar as high
As I now can discern with this clear eye.”
Tags: BraunAbility, entervan
May 18th, 2010 at 6:08 pm
SINCE MY STROKE, I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A WAY TO GET TRANS PORTED WITH MY WHEEL CHAIR.
I AM SEARCHING FOR A FREE HANDICAP VAN, AND YOUR NAME CAME UP. AM I ON THE CORRECT PAGE?
FORGIVE ME IF THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO YOU, MY WIF LOST HER JOB AND IS WORKIN PART TIME ON A FEW JOBS WITH NO HEALTH INSURANCE. I AM A MINISTER WHO ONLY TEACHES NON PROFIT THROUGH EMAIL.
I NEVER HAD SOCIAL SECURITY, SO I DONT QUALIFY FOR IT. SORRY FOR TAKING UP YOU TIME,, BUT IF YOU CAN HELP DIRECT ME TO THE PROPER PLACE, I WILL BE THANKFUL. GOD BLESS~RICHARD
May 19th, 2010 at 8:39 am
Hi Richard – We do not have free wheelchair vans available at BraunAbility.com, but with a little research, you’ll find there are opportunities for funding assistance. Several customers have had tremendous success holding fundraisers with friends, family, local organizations, churches, etc. Many states have organizations that MAY also provide assistance and advice when seeking transportation equipment. Veterans Administration, Vocational Rehabilitation, Medicaid Waiver and disability specific groups for conditions like muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, etc. are all possibilities as well. Hope this helps, Richard. Good luck!
May 20th, 2010 at 8:40 am
Trisston I love reading your blog! Well said and great picture! You and Brian are such wonderful people and I am so lucky to know you both! Hope to see ya’ll soon!
May 24th, 2010 at 10:23 am
Trisston, Thanks for continuing to share your story and educate others! You rock!!
June 3rd, 2010 at 9:50 am
Breakthrough research in the treatment of cerebral palsy, autism, and other developmental and neurological conditions at Center for Life Sciences, Health and Medicine, Pune – India.
Improvements have been seen in over 2000 cases of Cerebral Palsy with Integrative Medicine Treatment G Therapy.
For videos and other scientific documentation kindly see http://www.g-therapy.org.
Scientists and researchers are invited.