My name is Ramona and I was born with Cerebral Palsy. It has been my experience that many people do not understand my disability. Cerebral palsy is caused by brain damage that occurs before, during or slightly after birth. People with CP often have multiple disabilities because of the fact that CP is brain damage. Some of the things that can go along with having CP are speech impediments, seizures and sometimes mental retardation, but you don't have to have those problems. I was lucky and I do not have any added complications. My mobility is the main thing effected by my disability. I use crutches or a wheelchair to get around, but other then that I am perfectly normal.
I do not think of myself as having a chronic illness, I never have, but I realize my disability is considered a chronic illness by some. My disability is chronic, but it is not an illness. I will have Cerebral Palsy for the rest of my life, but most of the time I am not ill. The fact that I use crutches and a chair to get around does not mean I am not healthy.
One of the problems my friends with CP often face is other people with good intentions trying to do what they believe is best for us and they end up pressuring us to be normal. People tend to think that because I have a disability my life is harder then thier life, but this is not the case. I do not know what it feels like to not have my disability. In this respect I am a lot better off then those that become disabled later on in life. People who lose ability later on in life generally have a harder time adjusting and dealing with the situation than those born disabled. I never lost anything, what makes dealing with my disability the hardest is how other people react to me. I think my disability in a lot of ways is harder on my parents than it is me because they get to know what I am missing out on, and they lost the perfect child every parent always wants. At any rate at this point in my life I would not give up my disability because although it is not who I am, it is a large portion of my identity I have come to value.
| **SURVEY**If you are someone who became disabled sometime after birth please fill this out. If you know someone who has become disabled please get them to fill this out. Thank you.----Ramona |
Links that lead to other Purple monster pages I created
The Disability Rights ActivistA Great Activist site I found Highly recomended
Autism Links dealing with the issue of autism.
The Disabled in the MediaA new page of mine I have created but am still working on. If you have any suggestions let me know.
Trailblazers--Athletics and Competition This is my page were I discuss my experience with sports and what it has done for me. There are a lot of good links on this page about sports for the disabled. The feelings discussed on this page are shared with many friends. Being physically active is important when you have a chronic illness. It provides exercise and often support from others in your situation--two things that are very important to your overall health.
Poetry Prose and other thoughtsSome of my poetry I wrote related to my disability.
Deaf and Hard of HearingA new page I am still working on.
Cancer and AIDS Links to sites about Cancer or AIDS. This is a relatively new page be patient.
Other links not listed belowother links that are not listed below that deal with issues people with chronic illness have. Legal information is also found on this page. I am currently restructuring this page so please ignore the clutter.
Disabled in the media The disabled in the media. I do not have near as many examples as I would like and the page is not close to done. please if you have any suggestions as what to add e-mail me.
newmobility A really good site for people with disabilities to get information and talk to others who have like concerns
Bradford Woods The camp I went to for 11 years and then became a counselor. It is a wonderful place in the woods. I left my heart and soul there. It is at the woods that I learned I could be and do anything I ever wanted. It is a magical place to me and has earned a special place on my page. It is a place where anything can happen and most ofen does. More importantly it is a place where I can be myself without having to be afraid of what others think. There are no staring eyes there, only people there to cheer you on, and that makes a the difference. What makes Bradford so awesome is that it is a place where people are pushed and taught to do what they can. You learn that you are important, and you can do what society tells you you can't. Bradford and places like it allow people to take control of what they can and people who feel in control live happier healthier lives.
Disabled Peoples' International grassroots, cross-disability network with member organizations in over 110 countries. An excellent source of information about disabilities and the rights of the disabled.
execpc Wheelchair Racing Resource page --Associations, equipment, magazines, paralympics, Scholarships and Grants, Sports Camps and more.
Service DogA site with a lot of great information about dogs--how to take care of them, how to take care of them, and where to find a service dog such as seeing eye dogs and canine companions. A really great site.
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rmharvey@geocities.com
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