In Their Own Words: Cerebral Palsy
Name: Mark
Type of disability: Cerebral Palsy
Married/Engaged/Unmarried, Kids:
My wife and I were married in November of 2000 and have a three year old son.
If there was one thing that you wish people better understood about your specific type of disability, what would it be?
I wish that people understood that, as with other disabilities, a diagnosis of cerebral palsy doesn’t tell you what you need to know about a person. All people have gifts, skills, and abilities that are at the core of who they are. If you find out what a person does that makes them happy you will know more about that person than any diagnosis could tell you.
One thing that people can do to make other people who have your type of disability feel more included, whether it is at work, school, or another community organization would be:
Assume competence. People with cerebral palsy are capable of making contributions to their communities if provided with opportunity and support.
What would you say is your greatest source of pride?
My greatest source of pride is my three-year-old son. He is a gift to me that speaks of what is possible in the world.
Continue to next page.
