Summer will finally be returning after many of us had a long bitter cold winter. Each season has a different impact on cerebral palsy. Muscles react to cold and warm weather differently, and sometimes it’s difficult to know how to adjust or ease some of the muscle tension and spastic movements. Since summer temperatures can last for a few months, it is best to learn how to adapt before muscles take over. On a day that seems pleasantly warm and humid, my body paints a different story. Humidity is my cerebral palsy nightmare. My involuntary movements react by jerking my arms,…
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.
Cerebral palsy affects everyone differently. The limitations in one person might be completely different than the other person. One symptom, however, remains the same in people who have cerebral palsy. Muscles become difficult to control to some degree for the person with cerebral palsy. The muscles can either be stiff, too relaxed, involuntary movements or a combination of all of these. When actions aren’t under your control, sometimes things can happen that you don’t want and leave you embarrassed, frustrated or sorry. Apologizing becomes all too common. I mainly have athetoid cerebral palsy, but I also have a combination of…
Cerebral palsy is a physical disability that impacts the coordination and muscle tone. But, what about mental health with someone who has cerebral palsy? How does the physical impact of cerebral palsy affect the mental state? The Question Of Mental Health Several years ago, my attendant talked to me about her daughter who had cerebral palsy. She asked me if I ever took antidepressants for my mental health. At the time, I thought that this was a surprising question, but now I understand it a bit better. By the way, no I have never took antidepressants for anything so far…
Being a breast cancer survivor and a person with cerebral palsy, staying healthy is very important! Exercise helps keep muscles conditioned and good for health. I am a member at my local YMCA. Before Jason, I participated in Pilates class and used the arm bike. However, Pilates stopped during pregnancy, and I developed severe tendinitis preventing me from doing the arm bike. Being a breast cancer survivor, I know exercise is important to health and exercising 150 minutes a week is goal. I joined a Pilates class. Sometimes when you use a wheelchair finding the right exercise program is tough. The wheelchair limits…
I know that I’ve written before about what to do and expect if you are getting a double mastectomy. However, as we know, something new and ever changing is right around the corner. I wanted to provide you with some new tips and ideas before your surgery, what to pack for the hospital and how to have a comfortable as you possibly can recovery. First and foremost I want to say that no matter how you got here in your life journey – you are a remarkable person. You are stronger than you realize and can move mountains with your…
Awesomeness day is the day we totally enjoy being awesome. Awesomeness day is elebrated on March 10. On this day, we both celebrate being awesome and strive to be awesome in every action we do. Use the day wisely and go out to make someone smile. Tell someone that they are awesome and why. Awesomeness day started back in 2007 by a few guys who wanted to be happy about the awesomeness in people they have ever met They thought that being awesome was something most people ignored or simply took for granted. So these guys took the idea and…
Today is International Women’s Day, and I’m happy to celebrate all of the amazing women I know and those who I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting. Being a woman is terrific because we have super hero qualities and can turn them on as easy as a switch as needed. Women are smart, compassionate, strong, sensitive, goal orient and beautiful people. All women – including those with disabilities. Women with disabilities are often overlooked as they strive for that college degree, job, finding an obstetrician, and taking care of their families. They stand out even though they strive to blend in.…
We live in eastern Pennsylvania, and we have been hit lately with snowstorms. On Friday, we had a nor’easter that dumped about 4 inches of snow and lots of wind. We were fortunate that our power only went out for three minutes because many people in my area weren’t so lucky. Some were out of power for days. We did see a huge branch fall across the street during the storm. Everyone was okay though. On Friday, my attendant worked all day during the storm. My daughter felt irritated because her fun field trip sadly had to be cut short…
Ever since I can even remember, I have enjoyed the Olympics. It doesn’t matter to me if it’s winter or summer Olympic Games, I will watch! I believe I enjoy watching so much because of the competition and the unity of all are watching. While I watched the Olympic Games, I realized that the Olympics are similar to having cerebral palsy. A person with a disability is often seen as less in society. In some people’s eyes, the person sees them as somehow less simply because of having a challenge. That logic doesn’t make much sense to me because having a disability…
Did you know that March 25 is National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day? National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day originated in 2013 due to a government resolution < https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/sres89> to celebrate. The nation has come a very long way in accepting cerebral palsy and understanding cerebral palsy, but there is still some work to do. In my lifetime, I have seen some major improvements in the treatment of people who have cerebral palsy, and that is an excellent thing to see. I compiled a list of 15 points to know and share. These are facts and suggestions to make both of your…