Shannon's Disability Challenge Page
Living with a disability, or caring for someone with a disability is a
challenging task.I have Cerebral Palsy (Spastic Diplegia). My gross
motor skills (walking, etc.) are much affected and my fine motor skills
(writing, playing catch, reading) are alsoaffected. I can walk with a
walker, but it is a slow process to get anywhere so for outings I have
a wheelchair, and for school an electric wheelchair. I have a helping
dog named Katie that I got from the PALS program based in Smith
Mountain Lake, VA. She used to go with me to school, but now usually
is just my faithful companion at home. My Dad had to fight the school
board where we used to live, just to enforcemy right to keep Katie with
me at school. (Katie is a golden retreiver, and a certified helping dog).
That is just one of the many battles disabled people have to fight.
Most people spend 30 minutes showering and such, for me it may take
an hour. Most kids my age work for 45 minutes to an hour on homework
to stay up with the class. I have to work for two and a half to 3 hours.
It is sometimes difficult for me to handle objects. Holding a pencil to write,
forming letters, or holding a fork and getting it to my mouth in a graceful way,
can be a bit more difficult than you might think. I'm not saying this to tell you
how hard it is being me, I am saying this to let people know it is
possible to have major disabilities, and still function in the "normal" world.
I do the same things most other 11 year old girls do. I watch TV, I do my
homework, I play card games, basketball on occasions, argue with my brother,
read lots of fun books, listen to country music, swim, play with my Barbies
occasionally, and collect Polly Pockets and Cabbage Patch Kids.
Recently I was in New York City to film a special on people with disabilities
for Nick News. You can read about it in Sensible Girl News.
My folks have a lot to do to keep up with jobs, keeping up the house,
taking care of me and my step-brother (he has Down Syndrome). They
take it all in stride most of the time, but it can't be easy. Dad says its all in
making time for the important things, and catching up on the rest as you
can.
Dad and I have collected some links to sites about Disabled people,
and Associations and other groups that raise awareness about folks
with special concerns.
And here they are:
Back to the Clubhouse