Author: Jessica Grono

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…

Dating is difficult for everyone at one time or the other. Disability or not, finding a date, asking for a date, and actually going out on a date is stressful. What do you do when you have a disability and want to date? Should you just forget about it and move on single for the rest of your life? No! You get yourself together, create a goal and follow your dreams no matter what people say or self doubt in your mind. I would be lying to you if I said dating is easy when you have a disability. It’s…

School is beginning after a nice relaxing summer break. I hope that you had fun with your children, and they are prepared to go back to school. As you sit down to discuss manners, school etiquette and homework policies, please add to your conversations disability awareness and about being open to friendships with children who have disabilities. I am asking you to do this as a special education teacher and as someone who has cerebral palsy. Parents often prepare their child on how to handle strangers, using their manners, what to do if being bullied and how to be a…

March is a very important and exciting month for cerebral palsy. March is cerebral palsy awareness month, and during March, we can educate, volunteer, and get to know people with the disability. Green is the color for cerebral palsy awareness so you should wear green for more than St. Patrick’s Day. First of all, what is cerebral palsy? Cerebral palsy is a condition that will affect otherwise healthy movements of someone’s limbs overall body. With cerebral palsy, moving can appear to be stiff, jagged, or very active and sporadic. Movements in the right direction or the way the person…