Hi, everyone! I am Marisa Conners, and I write this blog that focuses on my life with cerebral palsy. I am sharing five biggest misconceptions I've ever learned as a person with cerebral palsy. I am living with cerebral palsy... I am NOT Fragile!! Due to my cerebral palsy, I cannot speak but that does not mean I have nothing to say. I speak using my iPad. I want you to know that my cerebral palsy never affects my mind at all.... I have an amazing mind. I have overcame physical obstacles. I can do anything I set my mind to. I never let cerebral palsy stop me from doing what I love and following my dreams!   This is an educational blog post that helps you understand myths and truths about people living with cerebral palsy. Remember, Cerebral Palsy is a lifelong condition NOT a disease! It's very common!  Here are 5 biggest misconceptions I've ever learned as a person with cerebral palsy. 1. I Cannot Communicate At All Myth: People often assume that because I am nonverbal, I h...

If you missed reading my story about birth and early childhood, you should read " My Story: Living with Cerebral Palsy, Part I: Birth and Early Childhood ". I am sharing the second part of my story with all of you. The second part of my story addresses how I navigated my school years with cerebral palsy. I attended the Perlman Center at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital for preschool. The Perlman Center provides children with cerebral palsy and other physical conditions that can help them live full life. They also support adults with cerebral palsy and other physical conditions. They have great programs such as preschool education, assistive technology, and supportive therapy. I loved the preschool program. I enjoyed spending time with my classmates. I learned to read at age 3 and spell at age 5. I encountered an elderly pediatrician and volunteer, Dr. Peerless during my preschool years. He would walk in and sit with me each and every time. We headed to my house for dinner. I re...

I am an adult and I am navigating my daily life with cerebral palsy. As you may have known my life story, I cannot speak or walk on my own because of my cerebral palsy. (If you missed my life story, you should read “ My Story: Living With Cerebral Palsy, Part I: Birth and Childhood ” blog post) Also, I cannot feed myself, dress myself, and drive whereas I can walk with assistance, stand independently, and transfer to any seating positions. I use my iPad to talk to you every day. I occasionally use an alphabetical chart to communicate. I also use a wheelchair. I use leg braces that enable me to move and coordinate my legs actively.  Those supports are always necessary to help me live a healthy and active life and maintain my independence.  I am very independent but I require 24/7 care that meets my personal and compassionate needs. I am right-handed. I can easily hold objects with one hand. I can use my fully functional body to perform physical activities such as exercising, po...

Although I could not speak on my own due to my cerebral palsy, I felt pretty frustrated and insecure about being nonverbal. However, it does not mean I have nothing to say. Now, I can communicate through my iPad. As I communicate with you, I want you to know that my CP doesn’t affect my mind at all and I don’t have any intellectual or cognitive issues. Cerebral Palsy is a neurological disorder caused by brain damage that affects a person’s ability to move, walk, and posture. Sometimes CP affects a person’s ability to speak which is caused by dysarthria. (Dysarthria is a speech disorder that causes muscle weakness in the neck or mouth. It can make it hard for people to speak. They may have trouble understanding what they do). People with cerebral palsy have different symptoms based on their physical abilities. Some people with cerebral palsy like myself cannot speak whereas others with cerebral palsy can speak or have speech impediments. Many people assume that people with nonverbal cer...

I was born prematurely on September 12, 1996. That day, as being 32 weeks pregnant,  my mama underwent an emergency c-section because she had miserable pains in her bump after admitting to the hospital two days before. I FINALLY made it @ 11:54 am! I weighed 5 lbs 5 oz. Shortly after my birth, I suffered from a traumatic stroke as a result of my diagnosis of cerebral palsy which leaves me unable to speak on my own. Me as a newborn baby girl.  Me as a newborn baby girl with my daddy  Me as a newborn baby girl with my mama  Me as a newborn baby girl Cerebral Palsy is a neurological disorder caused by brain damage which affects my ability to move, walk, and speak. The disorder also affects muscle coordination and balance. There’s no known cure for CP. However, people with cerebral palsy will need a wide range of medical care, therapies (physical therapy, occupational therapy, and/or speech therapy), mobility aids such as walking aids and wheelchairs, and/or assistive te...