This is my nephew Robert. He is 12 years old and attends the public middle school. He likes anything and everything that has to do with the Police and I he watches the show “Cops” religiously. My boys adore their cousin Robert and love to swim with him in the pool and get rides from him when he pulls the wagon for them. Robert is a typical 12 year old and he fakes being sick to stay home from school, he has been sent to the principals office for cursing in class.
Robert also has Cerebral Palsy.
Cerebral palsy refers to a group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and to maintain balance and posture. It is due to a nonprogressive brain abnormality, which means that it does not get worse over time, though the exact symptoms can change over a person’s lifetime.
People with cerebral palsy have damage to the part of the brain that controls muscle tone. Muscle tone is the amount of resistance to movement in a muscle. It is what lets you keep your body in a certain posture or position. ~ CDC.gov
Today, March 20th is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day.
I guess because we have Robert in our family we don’t really think much about CP. Robert is who he is and it never crosses our mind that he might be seen as different. He’s just a neat and ornery kid. But to the outside world, he is noticed. He is stared at. I think it’s the adults that stare the most. Kids are very accepting of things until taught differently by the adults in their lives.
People think that people with CP are “retarded” (which is a horrible word by itself). It’s called “Developmentally Disabled” people. Get with the times. But, Robert is not developmentally disabled/delayed. He has a perfectly good brain when it comes to that. So if it hurts me when I see people stare or shy away…you know it hurts him.
Some people think that it’s contagious. No, really. They do. It makes me laugh, too.
Cerebral palsy is caused by brain damage that affects a child’s ability to control his or her muscles. The part of the brain that is damaged determines what parts of the body are affected. There are many possible causes of the brain damage. Some causes affect how the child’s brain develops during the first 6 months of pregnancy. These causes include genetic conditions and problems with the blood supply to the brain. Other causes of cerebral palsy happen after the brain has developed. These causes can occur during later pregnancy, delivery, or the first years of the child’s life. They include bacterial meningitis and other infections, bleeding in the brain, lack of oxygen, severe jaundice, and head injury.
Children who are born prematurely or who are very low birth weight (less than 1,500 grams or about 3 1/3 pounds) are more likely to have problems that might lead to cerebral palsy. However, children who are full term and normal birth weight can also have cerebral palsy. ~CDC.gov
This last sentence describes Robert. He was born 30 minutes before his due date. He came out weighing 9 pounds! His mother was in the hospital awaiting a planned induction when his heart rate fell dramatically. He rolled around and compressed his cord several times resulting in oxygen deprivation. It was only after the 4th or 5th time (I think…his dad could say for sure) that they delivered him. By then, it was too late and the damage had already been done.
He spent a month in the NICU enduring seizures and other complications. We did not know he would have cerebral palsy when he left the hospital.
So today for Cerebral Palsy Awareness day, I just ask that you pay attention. Teach your children acceptance of things that are different. Perhaps visit a home or hospital where you can volunteer your time. Learn about them. Learn who THEY are, not what their body indicates they might be. Visit the United Cerebral Palsy website to see what you can do to make a difference in someones life. Maybe make a donation that will go towards education and research.
Welcome to OhRheally?, My name is Rhea and I share stories of life raising 3 sons, my experiences as a (recently retired) 
Thank you so much Rhea! I love hearing about other kids with cp. Someone
actually said to me once that Jillian didn’t look “mental” talk about frustrating.
Thank you for helping me spread awareness!
.-= Cheryl´s last blog ..Pennies for Penny! =-.
No kidding?! Some people. It was no prob writing this up. I adore my nephew so it was easy. Besides, I had that great pic of him from this past weekend that I needed to use somewhere.
Thank you Aunti for writting about me. It was very nice to see my picture on your website. I love you.
Robert
Great article Rhea!
There are so many special needs that people are not aware of. I am one that also get angry when I see someone stare or say something “stupid” regarding anyone that is different.
If you think about it, a lot of the “different” people are the special ones who go on to do the most amazing things or discover stuff no one else ever thought of!
God does not make mistakes, either!
Hugs to your Nephew Robert, he sure is a handsome dude!
.-= Faythe´s last blog ..Are you wearing green??? and other symbols =-.
Robert is a cutie! Who could resist those freckles?!
My daughter is 3.5 and doesn’t notice “differences” in people yet, other than boy/girl, long hair/short hair and occasionally she will ask questions if she sees someone with a cane or crutches. I am totally not trying to be an ignorant ass here, but what would you or Robert’s family or Robert want me to say if she had met him and asked questions about his condition? I think sometimes people who don’t have a family member with special needs say stupid and hurtful things just because they don’t know what to say. I want my daughter to grow up hearing the right things to say–any suggestions?
Renee, I could never think you were an ass! lol! I actually really appreciate the question. The exact point is that we would rather be asked point blank then be stared at and whispered about. I know my brother doesn’t mind explaining. And it’s completely normal for children to ask questions, so we don’t get offended by it.
When my boys started getting old enough to actually “notice” their cousin and ask questions I would just explain that God made him different. His legs don’t work like ours so he uses a chair. Then my kids were like “oh. Ok.” and went about their day.
Children are very curious but also very accepting. I personally think honesty is best. I can’t speak for everyone, but I do think most people are accepting of innocent and intelligent questions and would rather answer them for you to understand.
Thanks, Rhea. I will certainly use your advice if the need ever arises!
My 4 year old daughter is VERY aware of people around her. She LOVES to talk to EVERYONE in the store and thinks every kid is her friend. She does tend to stare at everyone and I always tell her staring is impolite. She will ask me why someone is in a wheelchair, etc., and I always tell her they have an “owie” or are sick, etc. She’s happy with those answers for now. Last nite we were at Target and there was this VERY large woman standing near us on one of the aisles. She was really tall and had a lot of gorgeous blond hair, but she was heavily made up and well over 200 pounds. Well, my daughter kept staring at her and then she turned to me and started to say something. I was thinking, “Oh God, PLEASE don’t say she’s fat or something that will embarrass me or that lady!”. She then proceeded to say, “Mommy, that lady has BIG …….BOOBIES!” I was so relieved she didn’t say anything too horrible that I just burst out laughing – and the lady (who heard this) starting laughing too! Oh, and she totally emphasized BIG too! On the way home, I talked to her about keeping her comments to herself when she’s in public and she can ask me questions when we are out of earshot from the person she is asking about. Oh, by the way, she is constantly telling me lately, “Mommy, you have a BIG butt!” KIDS — gotta love em!
HI Julie! That is so funny about the big boobies! LOL Kids are kids and they will stare and ask questions. It’s natural and I don’t think anyone with any disability would think bad about it. It just comes down to how the parents react and use the information to teach them good instead of rudeness, ya know?
what a handsome young man he is!!
trisha
.-= trisha´s last blog ..Charging for a CHANCE to go to a conference? Huh? =-.
hello i am a young adult woman born with cerebral palsy who is college educated woman i started a blog to share my life and expeirences and invite you to check it out! my best
lifeofthedifferentlyabled.wordpress.com
ps its annoynmus
I really enjoyed reading your story! Thank you for sharing it! My son was full term too. But we were told that he suffered an injury in the 1st trimester. Our son’s neurologist said there was no way to detect it or prevent it that early on. We still don’t know what injury occured to caused him to have cp. My husband and I wouldn’t change a single thing about him and love him with all our heart! We feel like how you said “he is who he is and it never crosses our minds that he might be different.” Our son is the happiest, funniest, curious and loving toddler we have ever seen. I’m happy to see that we aren’t the only optimistic family out there. I wish we could find families like ours that live closer and that would like to meet and build a friendship with. I wish Robert and your whole family a good, happy, and healthy life!