How Cerebral Palsy Affects My Energy Level

A friend of mine said something to me recently that almost literally stopped me in my tracks.

We met up about an hour or so beforehand, and after a wee donut and shop run, we were going back to his place. “It’s only a few minutes away,” he said. Well no, it was not. By the time we were close by, I was shattered and sore pretty much everywhere. Indeed, all that was holding me back from asking to be carried or something was my hatred of actually asking for assistance. All I wanted was to lie down and eat some food — preferably, exceedingly unhealthy and fed to me.

Obviously noticing my general state, he frowned and questioned how I’m not fat with how little exercise I do. The hell?

Exhausted as I was, I almost lost my cool.  However, I simply reminded him that my disability has a lot to do with my energy levels, and what takes minimal energy for him may take quite a lot of effort for me. Walking and general movement is exceedingly difficult. This serves as yet another example of someone who just can’t quite grasp the idea that a short walk for them is the equivalent of a huge walk for me. It’s as if I’m walking a marathon, not a quick wander somewhere or a short trip home. I exercise. I have to really, to stretch out the tense muscles in my body and give them some extra strength. But I take it very easy, otherwise I’ll want to spend the next day in bed and likely be in agony of some kind for a long time afterward. I hurt enough without that, thank you.

So to answer the question my friend posed, I probably “work out” a hell of a lot more than he does just by living my life as normally as possible. Also never ever get even close to calling someone fat. I have enough issues around eating without adding even the possibility of “fat” into the mix.