An Eye-Opening Awareness on Cerebral Palsy

As a Castro Valley resident for 50-plus years and now a co-author, I strongly feel there is a necessity to open the gates of awareness of Cerebral Palsy to the public. Therefore, in August 2022, I agreed to collaborate with a lead author who resides in Ontario, Canada, along with 23 other co-authors globally, to write down-to-earth, courageous, inspiring stories of the struggles and amazing successes of CP warriors worldwide. Our book made its debut on March 25, 2023, on Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day. Within 24 hours, it made the bestseller's list.

In Chapter 12, called "Don't Tell Me No, Struggles Beyond Miracles," which is my contribution to the book. I am hoping to indicate that just because someone doesn't have perfect speech, walks differently, or is in a wheelchair doesn't mean that they are completely useless to society. On the contrary, as you will discover in the book, people with Cerebral Palsy have much to contribute to our communities if others remove their blinders and see the actual human being beneath the disability.

I believe this collection of inspiring stories is long overdue to being written. These CP warriors share their personal experiences and give a raw, honest perspective of the daily challenges we face every day. For example, a "normal" person would never give it a second thought about stepping up on a simple street curb, right? But with CP, one needs to look around for a ramp leading up onto the sidewalk. Sometimes, the incline might be at a great distance away, or a business has stairs leading to the entrance and no way for that CP person to enter.

Each story will pull at your heartstrings and leave you feeling quite inspired by its resilience, honesty, and determination.  The book's title is "Living With Cerebral Palsy."

I am very proud and honored to have been a part of this awakening to the local community and worldwide.  Inside this collection of heartfelt stories, you'll discover how living with cerebral palsy makes one stronger and even more determined than a person without Cerebral Palsy and how to turn the "impossible" into possible. I am striving to spread the knowledge that having Cerebral Palsy doesn't make us weak; quite the opposite; even though it takes three times as much energy to do a simple task, it gives us the tenacity to try, try again harder, and eventually succeed. In the end, leading to a fulfilled, gratifying life.

Anyone interested in purchasing my book and learning more can email me at afjk@att.net.