Working and Living with Cerebral Palsy
Recently, I’ve had the pleasure of corresponding with 2 young ladies living with cerebral palsy. I hope I’ve encouraged them; I know they have encouraged me!
One young lady is a Freshman in college this year. The other is anticipating college and the future. Both want to work and be productive members of society.
I say, go for it!!!
If you have a service dog to help you function, it is the law that the animal be allowed to enter the buildings, even if it is a restaurant or the classroom. If you need assistance to go to college or get a job, such as someone to take notes, translate, carry your belongings, or whatever, there are services available to help you achieve the goal of becoming more independent emotionally, physically, and financially.
A good resource for exploring your options and possibilities is the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation. If you qualify for their services, they have means of getting you the assistance you need to get a further education and find meaningful employment. (I am in Wyoming, so I included the link for my state. But, you will have to do a search for your particular state.)
As long as you maintain a C average and keep up with your studies, they will pay for your tuition and books. If needed, you might even get a voucher to help purchase school supplies.
Unfortunately, some clients take that as permission to slack off, even if they are capable of getting better grades. Personally, I always studied hard and did my very best. If I did just enough to get by, I was only hurting myself and my education. I also wanted to improve my chances of employment.
I know it is not fair, but I believe those of us living with cerebral palsy have to prove ourselves. I know people that treat me like my brain is attached to the chair. I also know people with severe CP that are far more intelligent than me. It is just locked in a body that won’t cooperate.
Long story short: go ahead and dream of a brighter future. Strive for your goals. You may be living with cerebral palsy, but that is not who you are as a person.
