World Cerebral Palsy Day 2025

I could feel my daughter fuming as she pushed my wheelchair through another store, only to get stuck by a clothing rack, again. She not so subtlety shoved something aside, then commented loud enough for the store clerk to hear, “We should not have to struggle in here, Mom. You are allowed to take up space.” 

For the briefest of moments, I wanted to apologize, but I knew she’d get after me. You see, I grew up with a CP, was a teen before the ADA and have typically felt on some level, that I had to apologize for being, well, me. It has only been in raising our three kids, watching them grow up in a more aware and accepting universe (in some ways) and learning from them that I have become a bigger advocate for both myself and my fellow CP warriors around the world. 

In 2025, there are thousands of reels, social media accounts and testaments to the badassery that is required to live with CP. And though the world still has a long way to go, the pride, wholeness and strength of this community never ceases to amaze me.

If you were born with CP or have a loved one with CP, you are already aware of the massive differences between each of us. In fact, there are no two people with CP exactly alike. From one to another we carry different abilities, challenges, degrees of involvement and needs. But the similarities? Well, that is easy! We are ALL tenacious, brave, strong and born with iron wills.

I love to see videos of those of us learning to walk, talk, climb, ski, horseback ride, run, swim and do the many other things that others may take for granted. I love the infectious way so many of us celebrate the big and small wins for ourselves and others. And I love how it all matters, because we CANNOT take the simple things for granted: climbing stairs, walking at all, keeping our balance, talking, crossing the room with a glass of water…. (this list could go on and on.)

When I think of World CP Day, I want to say to the world – “Don’t pity of feel sorry for me (or us.) We are wildly capable and ingenious. We and the people who love us most are excellent problem solvers, resilient and stronger than you can imagine. We are those who never give up. We know the meaning of pain and we know the meaning of kicking ass. Our caregivers are the most tireless advocates on the planet and we are profoundly grateful. We know the meaning gratitude and not taking a single thing for granted. Just as we can learn from our friends, you can learn from us too.”

I don’t think any one person walking the earth wants to be pitied or seen as a victim. Yuck….

Yet, I think we all want to be seen. With our unique gifts, challenges, needs and strengths. It is not simply CP that finds a need for assistance, awareness or help sometimes. Don’t we all need those from time to time? With CP, it can be a bit more often or a bit different. Maybe for World CP Day, I also want to say, “We’re more alike than we are different. I would like to hear your story as well as tell you mine.” 

I hope that whether on World CP day or any other random day, we get to meet. I hope I get to share what CP is for me, that I can learn about you and we can always find reasons to appreciate each other. And I hope the fact that we all get to take up space is a blessing.