Just What is Cerebral Palsy?

I'm writing this post because I think a lot of my family and friends have no idea what to say or how to act around Hailey. I think a lot of you are unsure just what Cerebral Palsy is, and that makes you nervous or hesitant to ask about her. You don't know what to say so instead you say nothing or you are afraid you may ask something that you shouldn't ask. Maybe some of you are afraid to share with us your child's accomplishments in fear that we would feel bad that Hailey has not reached the expected milestones. Don't be afraid. We have totally accepted Hailey's disability and we are also very proud of her and her accomplishments. Cerebral Palsy is a result of an episode that causes lack of oxygen to the brain. In short it means that the brain doesn't send the right message to the muscles. There are four different kinds of C.P. Spastic, Athetoid, Ataxic and Mixed. Hailey has Athetoid C.P (Involuntary and uncontrolled movement). C.P. is also not curable and also not contagious. Some children with C.P. may not be able to walk, talk, eat or play the same way that other children do. But, in so many ways Hailey is just like other little girls her age. Hailey likes to eat cookies and ice-cream, she likes to swing on the swings in the park and she loves to go down the slide (all by herself I might add) with someone at the top to lie her down and someone at the bottom to catch her of course. She loves watching The Mickey Mouse Club House and doing the hot dog dance. She loves to be read to and she loves to learn. She loves music and swimming, she understands exactly what you are saying to her, even if she can not respond with words. She is learning sign language and other ways to communicate with us. She has feelings just like any other able bodied child. Talk to her the same way that you would talk to them, treat her the same way that you would treat them, and most of all, love her the same way that you would love them. I guarantee she will bring joy and love to your heart the same way that they do, the same way that she has filled our hearts with joy and love.