Early years- where I am today

 As I said in my introduction I got diagnosed at 1 year old so my parents started research and found out about Birth to 3 so they called the people that do Birth to 3 and I was evaluated for therapy. In therapy I learned how to sit up, crawl and got my first walker. Then when I was 3 I started preschool where I made friends, ran around and played and learned sign language also I had a 1 on 1 aide, At age 5 I went to Camp Gizmo a special needs camp where these companies come show communication devices, I trailed one and as soon as they showed me it I started using it, so a few months later I got my 1st communication device ( PRC’s vantage) PRC is Prentke  Romich  Company they make communication device . In 5th grade it was time to start trailing new devices so I got my 1st accent 1000. 

 

Middle school: I used a walker until 6th grade then walking got more challenging for me. I started slowing down, I started tripping on my feet when I walked, so it was time for me to start with a power chair so I got evaluated for it. I got my power chair and automatically started learning how to drive it. I started cheering for my middle school, I made more friends.  I cheered for middle school for 2 years then a special needs cheer team was interested in me so my mom called the coach and then I started all star cheer and I loved it. I made more friends  and learned how to forward roll.

High school: I got the best 1on 1 aide ever, I made so many friends, I was popular. I was in a adaptive gym class. We played kick basketball, sang and danced,  worked out with the weight room equipment. I was in all special education classes because the general education went too fast for me to keep up. In cheer I won U.S finals, so I wore my medal to school the next day and showed my friends!! Sophomore year I quit cheer to focus on school, junior year I needed a new power chair so I got a blue power chair, senior year I play powderpuff football with my best friend, I made so many new friends by playing powderpuff. My main goal was to walk across the stage with my friends but Covid happened so graduation was canceled. But this year my school let 2020 seniors walk across the stage with 2021 seniors so I walked the stage with my aide!

Now: I’m in college working on my degree in Medical Front Office Billing and Coding, I have 3 nieces, 1 is 11, 1 is 5 and 1 is 9 months old! I’m thriving now I’m able to transfer myself from my power chair to bed, bed to power chair. I’m trying to walk more but it’s hard for me but I’m not letting my cp stop me!! I never let my CP slow me down   .