Day 281: United Cerebral Palsy Association

Today’s give goes out to a fellow crowdrise-r, Melissa, her crowdrise project is raising money for United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Cleveland. She has mild CP and she prefers to call it a physical difficulty, not a disability. I believe her voice is better suited to describing the cause than mine. So, here is her story:

“I actually have mild CP (spastic diplegia) myself and walk with a walker. I have always tried to not let it affect me, but at times it can be hard. Without organizations like UCP and the therapy they provide I would not be as independent and as close to “normal” as I am, but not everyone is as fortunate as I am, many people with CP are in wheel chairs and some struggle with basic tasks. The most common form is spastic diplegia, the form I have which mainly affects lower extremities (my legs and feet) making muscles tight. In order to overcome this tightness, I like many people with the condition or at least this form of it must work much harder to do even simple things than someone else since the tightness strains movement. Now please don’t believe I am much different than any other person. That is not the case at all. I have control of my entire body, it is just a lot harder to balance etc. which is why I use my walker; however, like most individuals with CP, I will never give up hope and I believe that if I work hard enough and get enough help from therapists and others I will one day, the sooner the better, walk completely independently with no walker, no crutches, and no assistance.

Most of all, people with cerebral palsy desire the opportunity for independence and full inclusion in our society and services offered by UCP of Greater Cleveland help improve the lives of individuals with Cerebral Palsy and other physical conditions in the Greater Cleveland area.” - Melissa

United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Cleveland is an organization that works to improve the lives of individuals with a condition called Cerebral Palsy or CP. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this condition, it is characterized by an inability to fully control motor function, particularly muscle control and coordination. Each year, they provide a continuum of services ranging from early intervention to lifelong residential supports to children and adults with a variety of disabilities, including cerebral palsy, developmental disabilities, acquired brain injury, spinal cord injury, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis (MS), muscular dystrophy (MD) and learning disabilities.

Amount Donated: $11

To support the United Cerebral Palsy Association, please visit: http://www.ucpcleveland.org or help Melissa hit her goal for January here.