Today is World Cerebral Palsy Day and it’s also the feast day of St. Bruno, founder of the Carthusian order. Based on my experience as a mom of two children with special needs, one of whom has cerebral palsy, it’s easy to spot parallels between St. Bruno and a life with cerebral palsy.
My daughter was born prematurely in 2002 and was diagnosed not long after her first birthday. At various points in her life, she has used a walker, arm crutches, leg braces, or a wheelchair to help her get around. The mobility aid she uses at any given time depends upon a variety of factors, including her physical condition at the time, the distance she needs to cover, the terrain, or the speed at which she needs to move. Often she doesn’t use any mobility aids, but her disability is never “hidden” because her gait is unusual, she walks slowly, and she falls a lot.
Having an unusual gait, walking slowly, or using a mobility aid all put a spotlight on her differences, and it has been that way since she was a toddler. In our small town, everyone knew who she was because she stood out in a crowd. Because she was an active and fearless child, she chose to play softball, join the swim team, and participate in short kids’ races, which led many people over the years to declare her inspirational, a fighter, or an example to be followed.
