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Living with mild cerebral palsy can sometimes feel like living between two worlds.
You may be able to do a lot of the same things as everyone else, but still deal with pain, fatigue, mobility challenges, isolation, or the feeling that very few people fully understand your experience.
In this episode, I’m talking about the mental and emotional side of that.
I have talked to people with cerebral palsy who have strong support systems, relationships, and social circles. I have talked to people who have pieces of that. And I have talked to people who feel like they have none of it.
At different points in my own life, I have felt like I belonged in all three groups.
That is one reason I believe so strongly in having a productive relationship with a therapist or counselor when that is available to you. Not just someone who listens, but someone you trust enough to help you recognize blind spots, work through difficult thoughts, and develop strategies you can use outside of the session.
At the same time, I know therapy is not always immediately accessible.
There can be cost, availability, waitlists, and the challenge of finding someone who is actually a good fit.
So I also talk about the importance of learning to connect with yourself and beginning to rewrite the way you see yourself.
For many of us, the outside world has had a lot to say about who we are, what we are capable of, and how we should feel about ourselves.
You do not have to keep accepting every one of those messages.
Living with cerebral palsy can involve chronic pain, frustration, sacrifice, anger, loneliness, and days where simply getting through the day takes more effort than anybody around you realizes.
I do not want to minimize any of that.
But I also do not want those experiences to completely drown out the resilience, adaptability, and strength you have developed while navigating them.
You can have difficult days.
You can be frustrated.
You can wish certain things were different.
And you can still work toward appreciating yourself, trusting yourself, and building a life that feels like yours.
You do not have to do any of that perfectly.
You just have to keep finding your way back to yourself.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis in the United States, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If there is an immediate life threatening emergency, call 911.
If you are outside the United States, contact your local emergency services or a crisis support service in your country.
