Author: Jessica Grono

The word “limitation” means so much more to a person with a disability than to someone without a disability.  Try not to limit someone. For someone with cerebral palsy, the word limitation begins to be heard and often repeated as early as infancy. I remember hearing limitations from doctors, teachers, camp counselors, family and friends my whole life. However, I never set limitations on myself and didn’t accept what others felt I could or couldn’t do. When you have a disability, such as cerebral palsy, all the outside world seems to focus on is your limitations. To limit someone means…

Pre school age children are so much fun, and their little minds are going full blast. When a child has cerebral palsy, the fun doesn’t need to stop. In fact, they need the stimulation and experiences perhaps even a bit more than someone without cerebral palsy. Love, time and creativity always goes far with children. School is approaching. Being a parent to a child with cerebral palsy can leave you wanting ideas to help your son or daughter. I compiled a list to help give you some ideas to use with your child as soon as possible. My main bit…

Two years ago for Christmas, Jeff bought Jason a balance bike. Balance bikes are without pedals to teach your child how to balance. He didn’t quite get nto it at two years old. However, when Jason turned three and the weather became warmer, Jason caught on quickly. Now he’s a little pro on his balance bike. Jason and I have a little routine that we both look forward to especially before he went to pre k. After lunch, I take him on a bike ride around our neighborhood. It’s a good way to exercise, get fresh air and spend time together.…

October starts off fun fall holiday events and celebrations as we enter the end of the year. Having cerebral palsy doesn’t mean that a child or parent with cerebral palsy can’t participate in the fall Halloween celebrations. Modifications, research and planning ahead makes Halloween not only possible, but enjoyable for all family members. As a young girl, fall and Halloween seemed more challenging to me than fun. Finding a costume that stayed on me would be the first task. My involuntary movements from cerebral palsy made getting the costume on more difficult. Then the question would be where would I…

Have you checked out your wheelchair lately? July is the month to make the wheelchair beautiful to match your personality because July is National Wheelchair Beautification Month. Time to show off your style along with your unique taste. Illustrator and wheelchair-user, Horace Knowles, had the idea to Velcro a florist’s water tube to the top of his wheelchair to display flowers. His goal was to show his happiness and put a smile on the faces of others who saw him. Knowles hoped that other people that use wheelchairs would also use creativity in expression of their wheelchairs. Over the years…

My son, Jason, had his first day of pre kindergarten today. Ironically , he slept in until past 8 o’clock which never happens. I can’t believe we are at school age already. It seems like yesterday that I just found out I had Jason in my belly. The baby and toddler years flew by except the potty training stage, of course. I think with a second child time goes by faster than when you only have one. One baby gives you more time to cherish every detail and figure things out. With two children, you can get so busy with…

Today I had to walk home from my car repair shop because my brakes need to be replaced. As we were walking, my friend asked me why do people look at us strangely when I’m just walking in town? I stopped noticing any obvious stares and live my life. However, it does make me wonder why people say and do when they notice someone different. In my forty one years, I’ve learned to not let everything bother me when treated differently. However, there are some moments that stand out more than others. I realize that it is natural to look…

I really don’t want summer to end, but it needs to, unfortunately. Today is Labor Day, and the unofficial day of summer. The weather has been absolutely amazing this summer especially in August. Usually we go on trips and vacations, but this summer we stayed mainly at home. I’m certainly not complaining because it was amazing anyway. Jason went to summer camp for many weeks. He went to the same camp that he was going to attend pre kindergarten. The camp was about four hours a day, and he loved it. Although getting up early deemed difficult on summer vacation,…

I remember someone said to me that my life was very easy. I looked at them with a puzzled expression because I’m not one to complain, but easy isn’t what I would describe my life. I asked them for more clarification on why they would say that. Their explanation was quite simple but extremely surprising to me. My life is easy, according to them, because I have personal care attendants and that attendants do everything for me. The person said my life was so easy at a time when I was a single mother to my baby daughter after my husband…

January is a new month and time to make resolutions. Having cerebral palsy shouldn’t stop anyone from making new year resolutions. I like Christmas time, but I also always liked opening a brand new calendar to write down my New Years resolutions. I rarely complete all of them, but writing my goals down helps keep me on track. Having goals keeps you moving ahead and obtaining achievements. Big or small resolutions doesn’t matter as long as you make them and not give up when they start being difficult. Here is a suggested list of new year resolutions that might inspire…