What is Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy or CP is the most common childhood physical disability. It is a permanent physical condition that affects movement. A new international consensus definition has been...
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Non-Noticable CP?
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I was wondering if there is anyone out there that has CP that it is not really noticeable? I was born three months premature and had lack of oxygen at birth causing brain damage and CP. If someone looked at me today, they would not notice my CP. But I def feel it and notice it. My mother can def see it when I try to exercise or run. My doctors and family thought it was very odd my side effected from CP is also my dominate side. I write with my right hand though it's the hand/arm/side that gets tired first. My doctors gave my mother no hope for me when I was born weighing 1 lb. 14 oz. They said if I happened to survive, I would be in a wheel chair and would not be able to walk, talk or even possibly see or hear. My family calls me the miracle child. I walk, talk, see and hear perfectly fine. My CP effects me with walking and running. I have a hard time running and do not have a lot of stamina. I can get lethargic when walking long distances but I try to keep my leg muscles in shape to help me with this.
I realize there are different severity levels of CP. I was lucky enough to not need a wheelchair or crutches. But I do find it difficult to explain my disability when it is barely noticeable. Many people do not believe me or figure since they can't see it, I don't have it. I do struggle in the classroom especially with math and science. Certain concepts I just cannot get down. Numbers are a struggle for me. I stayed back in 4th grade because of my math and reading skills. I have managed to graduate from high school and it took me longer than 4 years to attain my bachelor's degree but am proud to say I hold a degree. It just can be a struggle having a disability that people cannot see. Which can be good, because they can't discriminate (because they don't see it but...) They may think I am "up to par" or "normal" and get confused when I struggle standing for long period of time, with math skills and take a while to pick up on simple concepts. Any comments? I appreciate the support and this site for having great support systems. I am glad to be able to connect with those who may struggle with simliar issues and we can work through them together :) Thanks. Posted on 10/27/09, 03:10 pm |
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I have cp that is not to noticeable also and the theory is my right is supposed to be my dominant side but I don't have that much control over it to write with my right hand so I learned to write with my left (very messy) 
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I too have CP and like yours is not noticeable unless I get undressed. I had difficulties as a child with most sports and cannot walk long distances because my hip tends to give way and I also have balance and depth perception problems, although that is not noticeable. My hands and arms are not affected and one limb is normal. School was a problem for me but I now learn better on my own now than I did back then.
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I can definately identify with you. I have what is called mild CP.I applaud your achievements. I too struggled all the way through school but was able to achieve a BS degree. How do you deal with this condition emotionally? I think my biggest problem is dealing with people socially. I can deal with people as long as I am talking about them. The problem is that as they speak about themselves,many times I feel angry and alone because they are able to participate in the world much more than I can
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I too have cerebral palsy. Luckily when i was in the fifth grade Shriner's Hospital was able to perform a surgery that would fix the main problem I had at the time. The only time anyone can tell something is wrong is if I point it out (I.E my right foot actually being 2 inches shorter than my left).
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My left hip gives out far more often than my right one; and, I quite often fall, injuring myself, sometimes severely. I solve this problem by using my custom-made titanium forearm crutches and have not fallen once since using them. I still fall, though, when I am travelling through the house getting food, etc. for my critters and myself. Also, when standing for long periods at my computer, my left hip starts to hurt—a lot; and, I have difficulty walking—a gait abnormality.
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I sure can relate to you,I have mild CP on the right side of my body. Nobody notices unless I'm participating in something that requires me to use both hands( my CP is stronger in my right hand than in my right leg)I'm very competitive in sports, so it pisses me off when my CP effects my gameplay.Basically things that require minute finger movements
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I have mild CP also...It has always affected the way I feel about myself, like I dont fit in and I dont measure up to others...People tell me that it is barely noticable but believe me I notice it....I can only type with one hand, cant drive a car with a stick shift, cant hold a glass in my left hand...I have let it define me and never have accepted that it is a part of who I am...
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I'd just 'go with the flow'; and, try not to let others define how I should be. Right now 'I am as I am' and that's just a fact of life with me.
Being worried how others see you [or me] and trying to live up to that image, just makes things worse, I think… makes the symptoms more pronounced.
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I used to try very hard to make my walking look as normal as possible. My legs ended up hurting more and more. Now I walk 'naturally' and while it is obvious that I have spasyic legs, my legs don't hurt any more
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