March is National Cerebral Palsy Awareness month. To help raise awareness about Cerebral Palsy, I’ll be sharing my story with all of you.
I am the mother of a child with Cerebral Palsy.
My son Jaylen is a Cerebral Palsy warrior. He was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at the age of one. Cerebral Palsy is caused by damage to the brain before, or during, birth. There are different types of Cerebral Palsy and everyone with Cerebral Palsy isn’t the same. The type Jaylen has is called Spastic Hemiplegia Cerebral Palsy.
Spastic Hemiplegia Cerebral Palsy involves both spasticity and hemiplegia. Spastic is a tightness of the muscles. Hemiplegia is when one side of the body is affected. In Jaylen’s case, it’s his right side.
Jaylen is developmentally delayed due to the lack of oxygen received to the brain. He is nonverbal but he understands. He is unable to walk without assistance but he can crawl. And when he’s at home you will find him all over the house. He does require the use of a wheelchair, as well as other medical equipment, to get around when not at home.
When I first received Jaylen’s diagnosis, it didn’t come as a surprise because it was mentioned to me several times by many different specialists. By the time they officially diagnosed him, I had already researched it on my own. So I pretty much knew what to expect as well as what I needed to do as his parent. I just didn’t know where to start. Thankfully he had an amazing pediatrician that helped me get everything I needed for him that was available in our state.
The thing I want people to know the most about Cerebral Palsy is that it isn’t contagious. It isn’t something you can get by talking or touching Jaylen. So please acknowledge his presence and look beyond his wheelchair. He is an amazing young man and one of the best listeners. My favorite little secret keeper.
Because of him I know giving up is not an option. I know if I can’t do it one way there’s another way to get it done. And no matter what, impossible is nothing. It’s truly an honor being his mom as well as his voice. I advocate for Jaylen daily because I want him to have the best life that I can give him. This journey hasn’t been easy but it’s been so worth it.
I wear green for Jaylen.
