Simply Allie Elaine

Happy March everyone!

For those who do not know March is National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month! Cerebral Palsy is unique to each person diagnosed, and symptoms can vary from person to person. According to United Cerebral Palsy Foundation, there is an estimate of about 10,000 babies born with Cerebral Palsy each year.

Cerebral Palsy is a disability that is life long and affects balance, muscle tone, and coordination.

Things to know about Cerebral Palsy (CP):

• All sides of the body can be affected, or just one side.
• It is caused by damage to different areas of the brain
  • One way CP can occur is from lack of oxygen to the brain.
• Can occur before, during or after delivery.
  • Develops in early childhood
• Types of CP and their specific symptoms
  • Spastic (damage to the motor cortex): abnormal walking patterns, tight muscles/joints, and stiffness in one part of the body (Cerebral Palsy Foundation)
    • 77% of those with CP have this type
  • Athetoid (damage to basal ganglia/cerebellum): trouble with eating, loose limbs and involuntary movements (Cerebral Palsy Foundation)
    • 2.6% of people with CP have this type
  • Ataxic (damage to the cerebellum): poor coordination/depth perception, tremors, trouble with speech (Cerebral Palsy Foundation)
    • 2.4% of people with CP have this type
  • Hypotonic: child may miss milestones due to weak and unstable muscles, may also have lack of head control (Cerebral Palsy Foundation)
    • 2.6% of people with CP have this type
  • Mixed type (damage is not in one specific location): showing symptoms of two of more types (Cerebral Palsy Foundation)
    • Most common type of mixed CP is Spastic and Athetoid
    • 15.4% of people with CP have this type
• There is no cure
  • Symptoms can improve with therapy, surgery and medication
• The ribbon color that is associated with CP awareness is green!

CP’s Effects on me:

• I have Quadriplegic Spastic CP
  • My right side of my body is the weaker side
• I am able to walk independently although I do use assistive devices when needed
  • Wheelchair, walker and scooter (currently), Orthotics (Feet Braces) when I was younger
• When I am sitting my disability is not very noticeable, however, when I walk it becomes more obvious
  • I limp when walking and it is jerky/wobbly
• I have had one surgery in the second grade to lengthen my tendons
• I have done physical therapy since I was a baby
• Difficulty curling hair and pulling it up in pony tail (I can straighten on my own hair-reached this goal in high school)
• I have difficulty carrying drinks or food that are not in closed containers
• I have difficulty getting things in/out of oven
• I have trouble with stairs without rail and curbs
  • Going down stairs is the most challenging
• I have difficulty with necklaces and jewelry with a clasp
• I use a shower chair and bars in shower
• More likely to fall
• I am not able to walk in heels or open toes shoes

My Symptoms with CP:

• Tight muscles
  • Poor Circulation in hands and feet
  • Poor Balance
  • My toes cross over at times
  • Difficulty walking Heal-to-Toe especially on right side
  • I cannot extend my right arm fully or turn my right hand over
  • Body aches/pains
    • Typically, my legs, back and hips-especially in winter
  • Getting overtired
    • I do not know what causes this at times
    • I end up getting nauseous and sick

While it may seem that describing Cerebral Palsy and its effects on me are pointing out all the struggles, these are just a list of obstacles that come with my disability (and I am sure I have missed a few)! These are things that are just a part of my daily life. I have either found tricks to help with certain tasks, or I accept help and support from others!

My disability is my struggle, but it is also my strength, and I wouldn’t change a thing.

-Allie Elaine🖤