April is a weird month for me. It was great until 2007 – my sister’s birthday and spring is in April. Of course, it’ll always be great because of her birthday. But it’s bitter and painful. Thursday will mark 16 years since Israel (Laura’s dad / my husband) died. Grief still is present. Then, on April 8, it will be seven years since my double mastectomy due to cancer—both life-altering painful memories. Death doesn’t get easier. Sixteen years and feels like yesterday- the good and evil. Just keep us in your prayers a little this week. Grief tips help me survive.…
Author: Jessica Grono
Jessica Grono
Jessica Grono is a special education teacher, public speaker and writer. She is former Ms. Wheelchair Pennsylvania. She plays goalie for Philadelphia Flyers PowerPlay! Jessica is happily married with two children. She has cerebral palsy.
Easter is the most important holiday in Christianity. Easter is important because Jesus Christ Resurrected from the dead, as He promised, on Easter. Christians believe that Jesus is the Savior because of the Resurrection. The exact date of Easter changes each year. The date is determined by the first Sunday after the Full Moon that occurs on or after the first day of Spring. Easter will always fall on a Sunday. Lent ends when the Easter season begins, and it is the second most extended season in the liturgical calendar. Ordinary time is the most extended season. On Easter, many…
Audition for a play – who me? – no way! However, I did! My children have both been in plays. Multiple plays with varying roles. I have never been in a play performance and always wondered what it would feel like. Auditioning with cerebral palsy terrified me, but I didn’t allow fear to get in my way of living. Well, most of the time, anyway. Auditioning with cerebral palsy terrified me because my body tends to take over when I feel nervous. Of course, a lack of confidence is a big reason, but when I focus on one aspect of…
March holidays is cerebral palsy awareness too.
Bullet journals are interesting when you have so much to say but only have a little time to write. My life has winter happenings whirlwind of gratitude and challenges, and I’m putting out fires while trying to make life meaningful. So here is what I’ve been doing for the last month and a half. Perhaps you’re facing similar challenges, so please know you are never alone. I’m praying for all of you and asking the same in return. Gratitude Challenges We can work on these and keep making the best of each day.
If you’re like me, you search every accessibility of Walt Disney Parks available for planning a trip to Disney World while having a disability. I have athetoid mixed cerebral palsy. I can’t walk, transfer, feed, or do other things. Planning is essential, but there are some things that you have no control over and need to navigate once you get there. The week before I left, I became sick with an upper respiratory infection that lasted forever. It was just something we needed to work through. However, there are several things that you can control. Here are accessibility of Walt…
Friendship isn’t easy when you have a disability. For some, sure, friendships are easy. However, many I talk to have difficulty. I believe it’s because people who have disabilities can’t just take off or go places quickly, or people think it’s a more complicated ordeal than it is. Nevertheless, I cherish the genuine friendships that I do have. Today I remember my childhood into my teen years best friend. I remember her today because it would have been her birthday. Sadly, she died several years ago, but she’s always on my mind. We were both six years old and in…
My friend informed me that the second Friday of January is called don’t quit your resolutions day. Today is to remember all of the important reasons why we have New Year’s Resolutions. So many abandon about mid-January or feel defeated. Instead of giving up, we need to return to their resolutions. I’m here to inspire you not to give up on those goals. I admit too many times I feel like giving up on my resolutions. It is a choice to keep going even on the difficult days. When I feel like giving up, I write a reason why I…
Congratulations on your pregnancy and having cerebral palsy! You are now a parent and entering the best journey of your life.No; it will not all be easy, but sharing your love will always be easy. I have a rare cerebral palsy of athetoid/spastic mixed quadriplegia. My body is one hundred percent affected by it. No escaping cerebral palsy any day or night. God wants me here. I wasn’t breathing immediately after birth. Several moments passed, and several doctors were ready to call my time of death. A doctor happened to be in the hallway and gave CPR another chance. I…
Chocolate chip cookies are the best. However, there is nothing like an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie. The taste is delicious, but the oatmeal helps keep you full. Like chocolate chip cookies, the key is to add a significant amount of chocolate chips. The chocolate chips keep you coming back for more. Also, do not overbake. Keep the timer a lesser amount, and you’ll have cookies that are just perfect. Ingredients 1 cup butter, softened 1 cup packed light brown sugar ½ cup white sugar Two eggs Two teaspoons of vanilla extract One ¼ cup all-purpose flour ½ teaspoon baking soda…