Living with Cerebral Palsy

I must confess, I was having so much fun relaxing, I almost forgot to write a post today.

The antibiotic is starting to work; the cortisone shot is making my shoulder better; and, I took a real day off of work.

So, after a good morning at church and a wonderful lunch at my mother’s, with 4 generations of family, I have been reclining, knitting and watching an old television series on Netflix.

Tomorrow, I have to go back to work and push myself to get projects done, do some paperwork, and act like a responsible adult. Today, I got to count just a few of my many blessings. Today, living with CP is just a bump in the road of life, because:

1. My daughter was home for Easter
2. I have wonderful family and friends
3. I have all of the basic necessities of life
4. The sun was shining today
5. I live in a country that gives me the freedom to worship God
6. My mom made frog-eye salad. (It was my grandma’s recipe and I miss her very much)
7. I had an amazing grandmother in my life for 51 years.
8. I have two amazing children
9. Health issues seem to be improving thanks to modern medicine and smart caregivers
10. My son and I are teaching a Vacation Bible School class together this summer.
11. I have the work needed this month. (When you are a freelance writer, it can be a month-to-month thing.
12. I don’t have to get up early tomorrow.

Well, the list could go on and on . . .

Sometimes, it’s just nice to slow down, forget about living with CP or any other challenges of life, and just count the blessings we enjoy.

I hope you had a good Easter too.

When Kristie sent me yesterday’s post, I read it and realized I could certainly identify. In fact, living with CP is responsible for my shoe obsession!

Until the age of 9, I had to wear “baby shoes”. Many of you probably know what I am talking about -those high top shoes that babies wear to support their ankles. Well, I thought I would NEVER get rid of mine! It was embarrassing to go to school, or anywhere else for that matter.

I was so excited when the doctors let me graduate to oxfords. They weren’t the most beautiful footwear, but it was an improvement.

I was very hard on my shoes. Because I drug my feet, I could wear a hole down to my socks in about six weeks. Putting metal tips on the toes wasn’t an equitable solution, because it did damage to the linoleum.

Eventually, I discovered that tennis shoes supported my feet and lasted a bit longer than other styles. As long as they were cut a little higher, I didn’t turn my ankle. They didn’t look good with dresses or dress pants; but, at least they weren’t baby shoes.

Grounded to the Wheelchair

Eight years ago, I put my forearm crutches down and sat in the wheelchair. Arthritis and a permanently dislocated hip made living, and walking, with cerebral palsy painful and unsafe. Although I had to give up some of my mobility, it wasn’t all bad. Now, I could wear whatever shoes I wanted – or so I thought.

Unfortunately, I forgot one small detail: I had to be able to get them on my feet! So began my quest for the perfect pair of shoes. For the first time, I bought sandals. But, it was hard to get my foot under the front strap and get the back strap around my heel. High heels just slip off, when I drag myself in/out of the car. After the birth of my children, I could no longer cross my legs to tie shoes, or even get them on for that matter, so forget anything that didn’t slip on.

Ugh! Now I have a box full of shoes that I can’t wear because they won’t stay on, or I need help to get them on my feet. Over the years, my feet have gotten pretty misshapen, so my kids would rather not. Who could blame them?

Just Maybe?

If I could reach my goal weight, maybe I could exercise enough to be able to cross my legs again. Probably not. But, I have plenty of shoes to practice with, if I want an exercise in total frustration.

Not Exactly Beautiful

In my quest for the perfect shoe, I did find a style that I can get on my feet. I doesn’t even take me a half hour. I can wear Crocs. I use my reacher stick to get them over my toes. Then, I pound the end of the toe with the stick, until it is fully on my foot. It only takes a couple of minutes. If I am in a big hurry, my son can slide them on my feet even faster.

My shoes still don’t look great when I am dressed up, and I often wear a color that doesn’t exactly go with my attire. But, at least I don’t have to go out in public barefoot.

Do you have trouble with shoes? Have you found the perfect shoe for living with cerebral palsy?

A friend sent this to me today. Although it is not directly related to living with CP, it’s message is appropriate for us all. Your attitude and the words you use can make a world of difference.

Have a wonderful day!

Today, in church, the sermon was about the obstacles the Jews faced, when trying to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah gave up a lot to follow his calling to lead the project. Unfortunately, those willing to do the work, make a difference, and serve the Lord faced many obstacles. Some of those hindrances came from their own people, who took advantage of their own friends and neighbors to make a profit.

It got Me Thinking. . .

What are the obstacles we face in living with cerebral palsy?

Lack of mobility aids
Lack of educational opportunities
Finances
Pain
Lack of support

Well, the list could be as long as your imagination.

Personally Speaking

Tomorrow, I actually looking forward to my cortisone shot. No, I don’t like the pain that I know is coming; and, I will find something to distract me during the process. But, I am hopeful it will make my shoulder feel better.

I must confess I am getting pretty whiny about the whole situation. My activity has been curtailed to only what is absolutely necessary. Of course, I have had aches and pains all my life. But, when it is in my best limb, and I only have two good ones in the first place, it’s presenting quite an obstacle.

But, like the Jews in the book of Nehemiah, I am not going to let this obstacle ruin whatever plans God has for my life. When obstacles to living with cerebral palsy get in the way, there has to be a way to remove, or at least get around them.

Your Obstacles

So, what are the obstacles that keep you from living with cerebral palsy to the best of your ability? Is it something as ordinary as the rising gas prices; or, is it the lack of understanding support and someone that believes in the abilities that you possess. The question is: What obstacles are in your way, and what can you do about removing or getting around them?

You will never know the answer, until you at least try, and try again.

Most of us know how that saying ends. But, do we really live our lives with that kind of attitude? Whether you are living with cerebral palsy or not, living by this philosophy can truly enrich your life. For example:

Try, Try Again

This last weekend, it was just me and the boys (our pets). Steven was once again at a youth rally. Last night he came home all excited about the speaker. He spoke on scientific evidences that the Bible account of creation was real. It was nice to hear that the speaker made the rally worth attending, rather than just hanging out with Christian friends from near and far – although that is good too.

However, Steven also came back a wee bit sore. Let me back up a bit . . .

Saturday night about 9:30 I got a call from one of the mom’s that drove a carload of our kids down to the rally. Recognizing the number, my first thoughts were that something was wrong with Steven and she was calling to inform me. To my pleasant surprise, she was calling because something was so right that she couldn’t wait to tell me. Steven was ice skating.

Last year when the youth group planned an ice skating party, Steven begged off. He had never been before, and he didn’t relish the idea of embarrassing himself in public or the pain that generally goes along with learning such a skill.

But, when the kids from the rally were taken ice skating, he decided he would give it a shot. Naturally, I have never been skating. But, I do know it requires trying, and trying again.

Thankfully, our soon-to-be summer intern youth minister saw Steven hanging onto the wall and trying to stay on his feet, not on his backside. Bless his heart, Josh decided he was going to stick with Steven and help him learn to skate. Not only did it afford them a chance to develop a friendship, but Steven was eventually able to let go of the wall.

In the end, Steven was a bit sore. But, he is looking forward to the next time the youth group plans a skating party. Someday, he might even be able to skate backwards.

Where would We Be?

As individuals living with cerebral palsy, where would we be, if we didn’t try, try again? If my mom hadn’t told me that I couldn’t go outside and play on a Saturday, until I had dressed myself, where would I be today? If my dad hadn’t insisted that I could learn to drive, after my mom gave up, when I hit the break too hard and almost sent her through the windshield, where would I be today? If I had listened the naysayers that didn’t think I could live alone, get married, have children, get a job . . .

Well, you get the idea.

Now, let me ask you, where will you be, if you don’t at least try, and try again. Naturally, there are some things that you just won’t be able to do, because you are living with CP. But, what about the things you might be able to do, if you just keep working at it? Sure, you might land on your butt sometimes, both figuratively and literally; but, you might also learn a new skill that will improve your quality of life and just make it a bit more fun in the process.