I was born 23 weeks premature and weighed one pound and three ounces. Because of my prematurity, I have a medical condition known as Cerebral Palsy (CP), which is a neurological disorder that affects body movement and muscle coordination. As a result of my Cerebral Palsy, I have endured and overcame many challenges, which have greatly affected who I am today.
Cerebral Palsy is not a cookie-cutter condition; the severity of the condition, type of muscle contraction, and the area(s) affected vary from person to person. In my case, the Cerebral Palsy is less severe, causing only the muscles in my legs to contract at a higher rate than normal. That being said, my mobility is not hindered by my condition. I am able to walk, run, drive, etc., however, I do encounter issues with balance and coordination, and have had to attend physical therapy. Although the nature of my CP is less severe, I have undergone a plethora of surgeries as well as faced an array of physical challenges throughout my life. Following most of my surgeries, I would be placed in a leg casts, and while this did present challenges, I always found a way to overcome them. One memory that has always stuck with me occurred when I was around the age of five. I had neon pink casts up to my calf, and I desperately wanted to get to the kitchen from my bedroom. I remember edging off my high-framed bed, carefully trailing my hands along the walls, and after what seemed like a painstakingly long time, finally hobbling into the kitchen. My parents have never allowed me to use my medical condition …show more content…
I know, without a doubt, that the lessons/qualities that my Cerebral Palsy has cultivated will follow me throughout my life, and aid me in all of my endeavors. Cerebral Palsy is a part of me, but it doesn't define me, I define
Cerebral Palsy is not a cookie-cutter condition; the severity of the condition, type of muscle contraction, and the area(s) affected vary from person to person. In my case, the Cerebral Palsy is less severe, causing only the muscles in my legs to contract at a higher rate than normal. That being said, my mobility is not hindered by my condition. I am able to walk, run, drive, etc., however, I do encounter issues with balance and coordination, and have had to attend physical therapy. Although the nature of my CP is less severe, I have undergone a plethora of surgeries as well as faced an array of physical challenges throughout my life. Following most of my surgeries, I would be placed in a leg casts, and while this did present challenges, I always found a way to overcome them. One memory that has always stuck with me occurred when I was around the age of five. I had neon pink casts up to my calf, and I desperately wanted to get to the kitchen from my bedroom. I remember edging off my high-framed bed, carefully trailing my hands along the walls, and after what seemed like a painstakingly long time, finally hobbling into the kitchen. My parents have never allowed me to use my medical condition …show more content…
I know, without a doubt, that the lessons/qualities that my Cerebral Palsy has cultivated will follow me throughout my life, and aid me in all of my endeavors. Cerebral Palsy is a part of me, but it doesn't define me, I define