Exercising

Whether it be walking or mowing the lawn or any of a number of things I do try and stay as fit as I am able. No, I really never run anymore or even get on roller skates (although I would love to skate again) I do do almost everything I can knowing that three kids can really ruin a woman's body if you let it. Yes, I still have a little of that baby fat but I carry the little I have around as a badge of honor because it is a reminder of something else I overcame as an adult that doctors were not sure my body would be able to handle.

The thing I would like to encourage others here is that having a disability does not immediately mean that you throw in the towel and sit around and accept that you or the child will be a vegetable that you will have to take care of for the rest of their lives. The fact is if a child is encouraged to be independent as possible there are things possible of achieving that they will be able to take with them the rest of their lives. I will add that taking advantage of many or all of the therapies will help the child or yourself out tremendously. I personally took advantage of physical, occupational, and equine (horse) therapies while I was growing up. I also had a dad that was determined to see me walk knowing that being in a wheelchair was a last resort in his opinion. I am convinced without the therapies I would never have been as independent as I am today so my advice to anyone either dealing with cerebral palsy or and other disability is to take advantage of all you are able to get because every little bit helps when it comes to improving your abilities (or you child's). Yes, sometimes the therapy is hard and the therapists love to stretch muscles to far or make you work a little too hard but in the end it is all worth the reward and accomplishment when you realize that you (or your child) do what you can do because of all the hard work done, previously.