Cerebral Palsy does not Define her

As most of you all know, my daughter Ciara has Cerebral Palsy, but that is not what defines her.

Cerebral Palsy is defined as “a condition marked by impaired muscle coordination (spastic paralysis) and/or other disabilities, typically caused by damage to the brain before or at birth.”

Because of her disability, she cannot walk out talk, but she does not let that stop her. There is so much more wonderful things about her other than her disability.

Here is a list of what makes Ciara so special and proof that cerebral Palsy does not define her.

She loves EVERYONE!

She has a special excitement for life.

She takes pride in everything she does.

She loves her job and never complains.

She enjoys it when she is given responsibilities or chores, so she can prove she can do it.

She loves to cook!!

She has the biggest heart and really does care about everyone she knows.

She worries about her friends and prays for them.

She is obsessed with music, her favorite singer is George Straight.

She listens to everything she hears and absorbs every word like a sponge. She can know a song after only one time of listening to it.

She knows and understands her disability.

She knows how to work her disability and is quick to tell people “I am handicapped“, as a rebuttal.

She is a sensitive soul and can get her feelings hurt easily.

She sometimes feels sadness because of her disability.

She wishes she could do what others her age can do.

She longs to be a mother.

Her maturity level is that of a 12 year old.

She has a special innocence about her.

She hates her hands and feet, because they don’t do what she wants them to do.

She feels embarrassment from her disability, such as drooling, having an accident or because of the lack of hand control.

Her “best friends” are people who treat her like a regular human being.

She doesn’t like being spoken to like a “baby”.

She has an “attitude“.

She startles easily.

She can read and communicate via messenger.

If you are one of her “best friends”, she will text you every day.

She loves attention.

She tries her best at every single thing she does.

She always wants to help others.

She loves sweets!

She loves coffee!

She smiles through the pain.

She struggles every day but remains happy.

She loves Disney and is saving her money to go to Disney land.

She has an old soul and enjoys watching old murder mysteries.

She loves going to the lake and camping.

She gets so excited when she learns something new or masters a new goal.

She forgives but she doesn’t forget.

She loves the Lord and looks forward to the day she will “walk” with Jesus.

She is my hero.

She has so many people that love and adore her.

She has a mom that will advocate for her everyday of her life.

Of course, there is so much more I could share about my sweet girl, the list could go on and on.

CP may affect her body, but it can never take away her beautiful mind and heart.

I encourage you to get to know people with disabilities and don’t let their diagnosis define them.