Hello! Welcome to my little outlet to the world via my blog. You might think to yourself “oh yay another mom blog,l Well, you’re half way correct in that I do write a lot about being a mom,  but my blog is a little different than the rest. I have a disability known as cerebral palsy. Several medical professionals might classify me as severe cerebral palsy because I cannot walk and need help in many everyday tasks.  I beat most odds against me and might be a little crazy but never would classify myself as ‘severe.’ So, when I decided…
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.
Children with disabilities have every basic right to an education as any child. Back in 1980, when I was beginning public school, children who have special needs were put in one room far from other kids. Even if a child had no mental challenges, they weren’t allowed to be in a regular classroom. We couldn’t eat in the cafeteria with other children because it might upset them, the school administration thought. Thank goodness that the times have changed. As I was finally included when I at the age of 11, I learned a few things that I wish teachers would…
Friendships are essential to life because friends guide, support, and love us. Friends keeps us in line, smiling, laughing, and makes life worth while. Imagine how bland life would be without friendships. Having severe cerebral palsy is an obstacle for forming friendships. Speech impediments, involuntarily movements and not being able to walk deters some people. How can you show someone who is truly inside? How do you form lasting friendships when you have cerebral palsy? The keys are to be your true self, let your light shine and not to take friendships for granted. As a little girl, finding friends…
Cerebral palsy varies between person to person in how the disability affects someone. 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 not controllable 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. I mainly have athetoid cerebral palsy, but I also have a…
Cerebral palsy has had a major impact on my life as well as the people important to me. A negative outlook is easy to have when thinking about living with a disability. Often I can visualize myself without cerebral palsy, and it feels so real. But, I know I wouldn’t have all t(e terrific opportunities as I do now if I didn’t have cerebral palsy. Hockey is one of the reasons that I feel happy to have the life that I live. Now we are a part of the Philadelphia Flyers. Do not get me wrong, cerebral palsy is not…
In 2016, the Phoenixville YMCA held its very first All Ability Halloween or Accessible Halloween event! Accessible Halloween allows children with disabilities to go trick or treating without barriers. I helped organize the event from the first day. I had first learned of the idea when I played in the power chair hockey tournament in July 2016. I met a new friend, and she told me all about the successful event in Michigan.  I remember being young and couldn’t fully participate in Trick or Treating due to accessibility issues. My local YMCA was very happy to help with this event.…
Job searching is a normal action for most a dults because it’s good to make an income and being able productive in society. When you have a disability, especially cerebral palsy, finding an employer to hire you isn’t easy. Hiding a physical disability is nearly impossible, and a physical difference is the first attribute someone notices. How does someone with a disability find employment? When does a person with a disability tell the potential employer about their disability? Hopefully, this article will help you do your absolute best to try to get that employer to give you an opportunity. Do you…
The American with Disabilities Act had a birthday celebration during July. President George Bush Senior signed the brilliant act official on July 26, 1990. People with disabilities celebrated across the country because this American With Disabilities Act brings hope to people who have disabilities to have both freedom and equal opportunities. The ADA has done wonderful things and have opened many doors that have been closed for too long. However, we still have some work to do. For the most part, folks with disabilities are still not accepted in many employment situations. Often an employer will focus negatively on the wheelchair…
The word “limitation” means so much more to a person with a disability than to someone without a disability. Â 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…