One of my favorite quotes is, "We don't get to chose the cards we are dealt . . . Only how we play them!"
Being dealt a card with the letters C.P on them is not a card I or any parent who chose. However around 17 million of us around the world are doing our best to play with that card in our hand. It reminds me a bit of the card game 'old maid', not one wants to get caught with it in their hand.
Only we with C.P can not pass it on. Despite many misconceptions in the community, Cerebral Palsy is a physical disability. Most people with C.P do not have an intellectual disability, including people who are non-verbal.
My previously posts was Marelena's Story. I meet Marlena at her graduation from Leaders For Tomorrow Program, in December. As I was embarking on my leadership program, Marlena was launching her journalism career and was a owner of two businesses, Marlena as do other participants continues to inspire me on my own journey. Forget the stars I think Marlena wants to be the first person with C.P to land on the moon or Mars.
As you get to know her it is easy to forget Marlena is non-verbal, she is a very 'vicious' person making her thought and opinions know on facebook and through facilitator communication. Sadly one of the leadership struggle we both face is a constant need to validate our 'voice'. To constantly reinforce the message that, Cerebral Palsy is a physical disorder affecting our muscle system and speech. It in not way impairs our intellectual conpasity both being university graduates.
Having shared Julie's and Marlena's story, I thought I share something on how my family and now myself have chose to play the cards we were dealt!
The first card was dealt to my father on the 10th September 1968, as both my mother and I fought for our lives, the three of us played well, both my mother and I survived. The next card was the CP card dealt around the age of 2. A card that remains in our hands today.
Countless specialist have tired to hand our family other card, as we puzzled our way through lack of information and knowledge of the possibilities for my future. There was no 'card' with a map. Cards like retardation, dependent, institutionalization, wheelchair and welfare dependent. All cards we eventually manage to play and remove from our hands.
My oldest and dearest friend tells everyone, I was so smart I got kick out of school - (the special education system). I am so blessed to have a lifetime friend who's my # 1 fan. I must add by this time I was walking unaided and had passed on my wheelchair bound card. So my family and I continued to play our cards well despite the challengers.
My parents then made the decision to pick up a card that refused to let my C.P define me or my life, I was handed the 'possibilities' card. All things were possible until proven otherwise. A few things like driving a motor bike and knitting were proven not to be possible for me.
Cards played along the way were, health and fitness. I was a very healthy and active child and participated in all aspects of family life including camping, hiking and fishing. As you know I was no dunce and went on the gradate in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Behavioural Science. I then worked for Student Life Australia as a Christian Outreach Youth Worker. Until other cards were dealt and took their toll.
A bout of glandar fever stole my health, ability to work and live independently. It trigger epileptic seizures and depression. I took seven years for me to reclaim my independence and I still struggle with my health today.
In 1991 I again moved out of home and continue to build my writing career and life as a poet. Along the way I written 4 books and co-authored another. Published numbers articles become the President at Community Access Traditional Services and Advocate for people with disabilities.
Currently I am pursuing a visual arts career and arts worker. Next week I return to study art and I am designing a visual artist Program for people living with disabilities and mental illness.
My name is Debbie Chilton, I am a artists, author, poet, advocate and leader for tomorrow. CP continues to fail to define the person I am!
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