I have spastic diplegia cerebral palsy. One thing I really wish you knew about my life as a disabled person is that it isn’t sad. Yes, there are challenges, and I have days when I really don’t like what I’m dealing with, but my life is not sad. I don’t want your pity. I have had several surgeries and have frequent doctor’s appointments, but everyone at the clinic knows my name now. They know my interests, and what my goals are after I graduate from college. There is a whole community of people out there who share the same experiences as I do.
Spastic diplegia CP has taught me several important life skills, too, not the least of which is adaptability. I’m always adapting to the environment, whether it is easily accessible or not, and that’s a nice skill to have. I’m proud of the things I’ve learned, the shared experiences I’ve had with other disabled people, and the relationships I’ve been fortunate enough to form.
The biggest reason I don’t want you to pity me or feel sad for me, though, is because overall, I’m a lot like you. I had a doctor’s appointment this morning, but you know what I did after that? I spent hours at a coffee shop with friends trying to do homework…and procrastinating more than I’d like to admit. Doesn’t that sound like you or a college student you know? And on that note, it’s time I actually get some work done for school.
Thank you for taking the time to see a snapshot of my life as it truly is.
The Mighty is asking the following: What’s one thing people might not know about your experience with disability, disease or mental illness, and what would you say to teach them? If you’d like to participate, please send a blog post to community@themighty.com. Please include a photo for the piece, a photo of yourself and 1-2 sentence bio. Check out our Submit a Story page for more about our submission guidelines.
Krista will graduate in May with a Bachelor of Arts in ASL/English Interpreting. She hopes to work with Deaf children in educational settings after graduation. In her spare time she enjoys reading, cooking, and learning new things. Her close friends and family members mean the world to her.
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