1). A neurological disability which ignorant
people believe means the same thing as mentally retarded.
While it's true that
people with severe cases of
CP can have mental retardation, many
people with milder cases of
CP have average to above average intelligence. Additionally, because many people with mild hemiplegic (one sided)
CP have visual/spatial processing and math and/or language learning disabilities, IQ tests are often very inaccurate measures of a
child with Hemiplegic
CP's intelligence as they typically measure bilateral thinking patterns. People with spastic
CP often have one very strong and dominant hemisphere in the undamaged side of the brain, and one weaker brain hemisphere. This results in one side or limb (s) of the body being weaker and lacking in the ability to accomplish fine motor skills. If the right side of the brain is affected, then the left side of the body will be affected, and if the left side of the brain is affected, the right side of the body will be weaker.
Despite having this disability, people with mild Spastic Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy often live normal, relatively independent lives. They can learn to drive (a
bit slower than the average
kid), get a good career, and be happy and successful people.
I used to be angry with God, and cry out to him why I was born with mild Hemiplegic Spastic Cerebral Palsy; why I couldn't be like every other girl my age. Now, I realize that being "
normal" often makes
people more
ignorant and thoughtless. They often take the little things in life for granted and may make fun of those who are different from the norm. Really though, it's those who aren't born perfect that have the most creativity, passion, and determination.
