So, now that you know what some different types of Cerebral Palsy are, now I'm gong to talk to you about some effects of the condition. Like I said, it is crazy how much Cerebral Palsy, as well as many other diversities vary. When you have Cerebral Palsy, you can either be affected mildly in a couple of ways, or quite severely in multiple ways. I'm lucky that mine only affects me mildly in a few ways. Some of these effects I will mention here might surprise you. I know they surprised me when I heard about them, or heard that they affected me. However, whether they surprise you or not, here are ten effects of Cerebral Palsy.
1. Mobility- Everybody that has Cerebral Palsy has to have some diffuculties with mobility. They either just struggle a little bit with balance, have to hold a hand lots when they walk, or they can't walk at all. I can take a few steps by myself, but when I go for walks, I hold someones right hand. I have to keep up with my walking, because if I don't, I will lose the ability. The saying use it or lose it really relates to my walking. It's happened to a boy I know who has C.P. He used to be able to walk a bit, but now he is in his chair full time. I'm going to make sure that isn't going to happen to me. Some people with C.P can't walk at all,simply because their muscle tone is to high or they lost even more oxygen at birth. I'm very lucky I can just get up and go whenever I want. Being able to walk is awesome!
2. Fine Motor Skills- Another common effect of Cerebral Palsy is having trouble with fine motor skills, or using their hands. Some can't use their hands at all, and some just have troubles using their hands. My right hand functions perfectly. When I was a very little girl, everybody really worked on my fine motor skills with me . I practised picking up small objects. I practised beading and cutting with scissors and all sorts of stuff. Also, lefty being so tight kind of has to do with that too. I think some people with Cerebral Palsy can't even use their hands because they are both so tight and they are normally curled up in tight fist. Most people with the condition have the use of at least one hand though. My right hand is just one more body part I have to be thankful for that I can use.
3. Speech- Lots of people have Cerebral Palsy that effects in their speech. Some people don't though. They have Cerebral Palsy but they speak perfectly fine. I've been going to a speech therapist ever since kindergarten. I stopped at high school because I had such a heavy school load already. My speech therapist said that I have something called Disarthria or Disarthric Speech, which is common for a lot of people with C.P. They have a lower tone of voice. They sound like they are talking through their nose becausethe sounds come out nasally. I really struggle with my sppech when I phone someone or when I talk to some in person and I get really excited or nervous. It's kind of embarrassing. I want to talk people and show them that I'm capable of having a normal conversation and I want to get my words out. Sometimes on the phone, I struggle, and it's hard on the phone because they might think I'm in trouble if I talk like that. I'm glad I'm able to talk though. As you can probably tell, I have a lot to say.
4. Cognitive Skills- Cerebral palsy is a brain injury. Sometimes you can lose oxygen to the part of the brain where all your thinking takes place. Thankfully though, I didn't. Some kids with C.P. might really struggle with their learning. They might not be in the regular school curriculum. They are still smart though. they are just smart in their own ways . I'm really happy I made it through school and am able to graduate with a diploma like all the other kids next year. That will be a big moment for me. Sometimes, I wonder about things like having trouble putting books on a shelf and having to order them in size. I volunteered at the Public library with that and had a bit of trouble with it!. Who knows though? So, I either have no or very little injury in that part of the part of my brain, although some people may beg to differ. I am not always the sharpest tool in the chandelier, I can assure you.
5.Eyesight- Did you know Cerebral Palsy can also affect your eyesight? I've never met anybody with Cerebral Palsy with this impairment, but I've heard about it. I wear glasses for seeing far away. I first noticed that I needed them when I was in grade one. My desk was at the very back of the room and I had trouble seeing the board, so my aide said "Kate, you need glasses! " I used to just wear them for school but now I wear them all the time. I find I need them more and that i am more comfortable when i wear the. I don't use them for close up thing like reading. That feels uncomfortable. I do really enjoy them now. I cant imagine having no sight. That would be scary! I'm so glad that i can see all the world has to
offer.
6. Muscle Tone- This is huge for a lot of people with Cerebral Palsy. Doctors are always after them to keep strechting and exercising so their muscles don't get any tighter than they already are. My muscles are quite tight but not as bad as some people I know. How tight your muscles are depends on weather or not you can walk properly. There is one boy I know with C.P who can't walk. He used to be able to but his muscles got too tight. i would hate to have that have that happen to me after all I have worked for. I'm never going to stop walking or exercising. I intend on getting stronger and stronger everyday.
7. Spasticity- I've talked a lot about spasticity with lefty and my legs and stuff like that. Spasticity is when muscles are really tight and it leads to things like uncontrolled movements, like in Lefty. Lefty sometimes tires me out or causes me pain if he is curled up in a ball for a long time. When I was at the children's Hospital, I asked about a brace for him and they said it wouldn't do any good because my fingers would probably latch on to the edge of the brace and wouldn't let go. That would cause a lot of tightness and maybe some pain in the inside bone of my arm. They also said that lefty is good the way he is because he is getting exercise moving around all the time. A lot of people with C.P have at least one hand like lefty and they are curled up in ball. This causes them to become even more tight and they can't open their hand up so the fingers would always clench on to the palm. This woul cause skin breakdown. I guess lefty isn't that bad! I'll keep him.
8. Swallowing- When I was first born my mom had to feed me through a tube. That didn't last long. She got tired of it and I'm glad she did. I'm lucky I can feed myself and get to food whenever I'm hungary. A lot of people with severe C.P have to be spoon fed. They also have some struggles with swallowing. I am lucky I can feed myself. A long time ago, I went to the Children's Hospital to have a test to see if I swallow thing down properly. My mom and my Grandma made me a bunch of soft and hard food to try out . There was a T.V. screen that showed what your throat was doing when you ate food. Everything got down for me properly so that was good. I had trouble eating some stuff like salad when I was little. Not anymore though. I like eating salads now. The only help I need with food is cutting it up and then I'm good to go.
9. Jumping at Loud Noises- I was reading another blog about someone else who has C.P and she says she is sensitive to loud noises. I found that funny because so am I. I jump when a dog barks or if I here a loud bang or something. I'm not scared! I just jump! As far as I'm concerned, you can be as loud as you want in front of me, as long as it's all in good fun!
10. Fatigue- People with Cerebral Palsy tend to get a little more tired than usual simply because it takes then longer to do certain things or it takes tem a bit mor energy. I get tired when I stand a lot or go for a long walk. Physio Therapist have always been telling me to watch how tired I am so I can have enough energy to get through the rest of the day. When I get tired, it doesn't stop me from completing what I want to do. I hate going for walks and having to turn back early because I'm too tired to finish. I am getting better at monitoring how I feel and what I can do. Getting tired won't stop me. I'll just keep on trucking.
So, there are some symptoms of Cerebral Palsy. As I write about all the different ones, I realize how much better off I have it! I'm a very lucky girl! You must remember though, no matter what people struggle with, they are always capable of one thing or another. They always can be a part of society. We are just like you with a few struggles that help us become stronger people
So, there are kind of some symtoms of Cerebral Palsy. As I write about these I am thankful for all that I am able to do. However, you must remember that people with Cerebral Palsy can do somet tihings and shoud always be included in every day society. All we want is to be looked upon with the same respect as everyone els! Our world is growing and the more we learn about things like Cerebral Palsy the more knowable and greater of a country we'll be!
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