March is Cerebral palsy awareness month, which is dedicated to the 17 million people diagnosed with Cerebral palsy around the world.
I first got diagnosed with Cerebral palsy at the age of 2 years old. Growing up with a condition like Cerebral palsy wasn’t the easiest task and I had many obstacles to face. But I overcame those and now I’m able to share how I’ve overcome the hurdles in my life. These are hurdles that I thought where huge at the time. I can now share my journey through my advocacy work and the stories that I’ve written.
Why Cerebral palsy awareness is important
Getting the chance to spread awareness for Cerebral palsy for a full month is awesome, though I celebrate Cerebral palsy Awareness 365 days a year. While every day is a great day to spread awareness, March is definitely a month that I look forward to because it gives me a chance to educate people more about my condition. I like to share my experiences about what it’s like to live in a world that you constantly have to adapt
For example, sometimes when I go to store with my mom, we tend to get people who stare and point at me like I’m E.T
Cerebral palsy Awareness month also gives me a chance to reflect on how far I’ve come in my life with Cerebral palsy. I get to look at all the milestones I’ve reached, as well the ones I will continue to reach as my journey with Cerebral palsy continues. I love to look back at the stories that have been written by me and the people I’ve been impacted by, such as many of my friends who are also advocating for Cerebral palsy awareness. We’re all in this together and nothing could break that bond between us all.
I’m not fighting for a cure, I’m fighting for awareness
Cerebral palsy is the most common childhood disability, yet I feel that there’s very little awareness about the condition in comparison to other disabilities (such as Autism). I’m constantly reminded of the lack of awareness as I wheel around in society and don’t see one touch of green in honor of Cerebral palsy awareness in March, instead of just for St. Patrick’s Day.
My advocacy is not about finding a cure for me, it’s about spreading awareness to the people that are unaware of Cerebral palsy and what it is truly like to live with this condition. People seem to think it goes away when your childhood is
About the Author:
Tylia Flores is a 24-year-old born with cerebral palsy. Although her condition has affected her mobility, it has never affected her will and determination to make a difference in the world. Through her many life challenges and obstacles, she discovered her passion for writing. Tylia’s goal in life is to share her stories with the world.
