Author: Jessica Grono

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…

To a medical professional who is caring for someone with cerebral palsy    During my life, I have had to see numerous medical personnel due to being sick or normal well check ups. Unfortunately, doctors and nurses do not understand how to properly communicate and care for someone with cerebral palsy.  In an emergency situation, not knowing what to do can quickly turn into a life or death situation.   Here are some suggestions that I believe will help if you’re giving someone a check up, mammogram or any medical attention when you have a patient with cerebral palsy.  …

Jason loves to eat Oreo Cookies so much, and they are by far his favorite cookie. I always make sure we have them in the house. I like them too, and I eat them as a snack. Double stuffed happens to be my favorite. Oreo cookie day falls on March 6. Oreo cookies are the cookies with two chocolate wafers with icing in the middle. The Oreo cookie brings delight to children and adults alike. The Oreo cookie originated in 1912!  I’m sure that Nabisco had no idea how popular the Oreo was going to be! In 2006, they replaced the…

Before I had Jason, I was an avid coupon lady. I cut coupons, used the  binder, sorted and shopped all of the best deals. For some reason, after I had Jason, I stopped cutting coupons  as much. I still did but nothing like before even though I really should have kept up with coupons. Toward the end of January, my friend and I went to an extreme coupon class. Just like that I went back into the coupon game and started saving money! Yes, it takes some time and effort, but I have fun with it and like to see how…