Living with Cerebral Palsy
My name is Arianna and I am one of the kids born every 15 hours in Australia who goes on to develop Cerebral Palsy (CP).
Many people don’t realise that CP is the most common physical disability in Australia more common than childhood cancer, hearing impairments and Down syndrome combined, and it is also the most expensive disability in Australia too.
My story begins with my birth three years ago, where my twin and I were born with lesions on 80% of our little brains. The Doctors where we lived in New Zealand had never seen cases as severe as ours. The brain lesions were formed due to lack of oxygen to the brain which subsequently resulted in my twin and I being born with Cerebral Palsy. But at the time that was not the worst thing that was worrying my mum, the worst thing was whether my twin and I would survive.
I’m sad to say, my twin passed away a week later due to complications but I am a fighter and had other plans.
Cerebral Palsy is a permanent disorder of movement that can affect all parts of the body including speech. Some children can have additional challenges such as hearing and visual impairment. The Doctors advised my mother that there was no hope of independence for me as my CP was so severe. My mum was advised I would not eat, drink or communicate and would be completely dependent on others for all my needs. My parents were devastated with my diagnoses but knew the fact that I was alive meant that I was a fighter and decided then and there they would do everything they could to help me continue my fight.
It was at this time my parents heard about a wonderful world renowned place in Melbourne that was doing amazing work with children who had Cerebral Palsy. My parents decided to pack me up and we moved to the ‘Lucky Country’ so I could receive their unique therapy services.
I have been attending the Cerebral Palsy Education Centre (CPEC) for the past two years and everyone agrees that I am making amazing progress. As you can see in my photos, I am a bright, bubbly, sociable three year old who is now eating, communicating madly with my special communication book, believe me I have plenty to say and I love playing jokes on everyone. Mum calls me a romancer and dancer as I love blowing kisses and having a dance. In fact, when I grow up I could be the first ballet dancer with CP. When dad is not listening to me I love yelling “Hey!” and I have just spent a year mastering how to use a straw. I have recently begun to feed myself and my toilet training is underway, I am also very competent on a computer. I think I am pretty amazing considering the Doctors told mum that I wouldn’t do any of this stuff and I am already determined to do so much more.
Mum and dad are so grateful that I was able to secure a spot at the Cerebral Palsy Education Centre (CPEC) in Melbourne and when they see the huge steps I am taking now that they made the right decision to move. I too am glad we are here, with CP our bodies might not work but for most of us our brains are as switched on as everyone else’s so to be given the chance to be as independent as we can is life changing.