Where are you Living with Cerebral Palsy?
I am so ashamed of myself. I realized a couple of days ago that it has been two weeks since I contributed to the blog. I am so sorry. For my loyal readers, I hope you didn’t think I forgot about you. Some of you have been very helpful to post comments or send me emails. I want you to know that you encourage me so much, and I hope others as well.
If you have given me ideas for future blogs, I am so grateful. I will definitely use them.
Interesting Question
While I was busy working and neglecting my blog, one new friend asked how I can stand to live in Wyoming, as I am getting older and living with cerebral palsy.
Of course, I am not fond of the winter months. Wheelchairs and ice do not mix, not to mention the pain of the cold seeping through my bones. But, I thought my answer was worth a post.
The wildlife on my street. They are hard on gardens though. 
I guess if I stopped to think about it longer, I would think of more reasons why I will stay in Wyoming. I think any place I chose to live with cerebral palsy would have its good and bad points.
So, how about you? Where do you live? What makes it easier or more difficult to live with Cerebral Palsy?
April 17th, 2010 at 11:10 pm
I have a story to go with this question. I have very mild CP and so did not think moving to a more hilly area would any be any different. I lived in Florida for 37 years. It is very flat there, easier to drive, walk ,etc. We needed a more affordable housing situation so we moved to South Carolina and happy to say have the affordable house, but lost some independence in the process. I have a visual processing disorder too, So with all the hilly and rural roads around I became very afraid to drive and have not done so in the time we have lived here which is three and a half years. They have driving rehab here at a local hospital. I hope to be able to do at least a little driving soon. Another fork in the road for me , but I keep trying! W alking is more of a challenge too with more uneven pavements to deal and of course the hilly terrain of the area. It’s a beautiful area and lots to do here. So there are good and bad and adjustments to make for quite awhile. i”m finding ways to stay positive!
April 27th, 2010 at 1:32 pm
Sherry,
I think every place we live has good and bad attributes for living with cerebral palsy, or any other problem for that matter. I am very glad that you always try to be positive. As one reader put it, “CP is not for sissies!”
Tina
May 4th, 2010 at 9:33 am
I live in Belarus (country between Russia and Poland). I have some problems with my lags (CP) Gomel is my native town. I live here since I was born. It is not a small town, one of the biggest universities of Belarus stay here. I am correspondence-course student in this university and I will graduate in June.
In time of my study there I had meet many smart and talented people (teachers, classmates).
They are nice to me and almost don’t take attention on my disability. It’s all good things…
What’s dad…Gomel is not a small town. University stays so far from my house and if you want get the university you need drive by bus (almost an hour) or car. I get the university two times in year for exams and I every time goes with my mother. We are having no car and usually we use the bus or taxi. I do not like people’s reactions… Especially when we are driving by bus… some people staring at me like on something extraordinary and I cannot to stop it. Because of this I do not like go outside for a walk. Maybe it is wrong…. I am trying to change it.
P.S. Thanks for your blog, Tina
May 4th, 2010 at 11:20 am
Vera,
Thank you for writing. I do feel very blessed to live in America where most public places are accessible.
However, I am very glad that you use correspondence to go to college. I got my teaching degree online. I also had to travel twice a year to the big city for tests and conferences. So, I know it isn’t easy. You should be very proud of your accomplishments. What are you studying?
You should never be ashamed of who you are. If people do not accept you, and look beyond the CP, and fail to get to know the person you are, it is their problem and their loss. I am glad that you are trying to change that! I hope this blog can continue to encourage you.
Warmly,
Tina
May 5th, 2010 at 9:18 am
Tina, Thanks for your replay (again)
You are right: it is their problem and their loss. I don’t want to feel the shame and I really don’t. However, from time to time it is too difficult …
I am philologist studying Russian literature and language. Now I am writing diploma it is final stage of my study. I shall have to find a job this year. (I hope).
I think I would can to work like freelancer.
May 5th, 2010 at 10:40 am
Vera,
I am glad you explained what a philologist was. I was going to have to look it up.
Freelancing is not for everyone. You can look online at Elance.com and look at some of the writing and translating assignments. They often have documents that need translated from English. I don’t know if they have any that need to be in Russian, but you can check. Writing is difficult, especially if they want English to be your primary language.
However, you are doing better than me. I only know English. I took sign language for that portion of my degree. Now, I never use it, and I have forgotten the majority.
I hope you continue to enjoy the blog. I would love to stay in touch.
May 6th, 2010 at 9:01 am
Thanks
I look through this dlog every day.
May 6th, 2010 at 9:15 am
Thank you! I guess this means I had better start posting more often.
If you can think of any topics that you might want to see on the blog, let me know.
May 7th, 2010 at 10:19 am
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