Questions and answers

So recently I have received a boat load of questions due to me appearing on TikTok and talking openly about life with cerebral palsy. Currently on February 28, 2021 at 7:32 PM I have over 17,600 followers and 3 videos with over 100,000 views! So, I have received interesting questions and even though I want to film all the answers this is a much easier way for my brain to process, and most of the people reading this can probably text me all the answers before reading the answers given. If you are casually scrolling though and stumble across this and do not know what happened to me at birth you may want to read https://justagirlwithcrutches.wordpress.com/2020/11/18/the-start-of-my-story/

• My favorites

Q: Favorite color?

A: I am color blind so either blue, purple, or pink, I think (they could actually be red, yellow, or green!)

Q: Favorite food?

A: Fried ice cream

Q: Favorite movie?

A: Heck I do not know the last time I watched a movie.  Guardians of the Galaxy!

Q: Favorite TV show?

A: I do not watch TV I am a texting hermit.

Q: top five favorite songs?

• I Giorni- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uffjii1hXzU
  1. Piano Man- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxEPV4kolz0
  1. Fight Song- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xo1VInw-SKc
  1. Cannon in D (I have a story about this!)- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ptk_1Dc2iPY
  1. I Lived- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKt3o7WPYdo
• Questions about Cerebral Palsy

Q: What type of CP do you have?

A: Mild spastic and ataxic quadriplegic

Q: Couldn’t your cerebral palsy be avoided with proper medical treatment like immediate intubation?

A: Maybe, who knows, sometimes, there are not do overs in life.  However 1. The doctors were doing the best they could with the time and resources available.  My family celebrates the fact that I made it, and not the would’ve could’ve should’ve.  2.  There is only so quick a person can be intubated, yes people are trained but uncontrollable things happen especially in hospitals dealing with newborns. 3. It does not matter. 

Q: Is everyone with CP the same?

A: No, it can have a wide range of severities from barely a limp to being totally dependent of a feeding tube and unable to breathe on their own, I fall more on the mild side.  The weird thing is that if a brain injury does occur, or something that could cause CP- anything on that spectrum is possible, or you could be normal.  It is not a one fits all.

Q: Is it hard to talk?

No, I obviously have some difficulties, however I talk so much I hardly notice.  It is annoying because I think a lot faster than what I can communicate making me frustrated sometimes.

Q: Are you in pain?

A: Yes?  I call it stable and manageable chronic pain; I know makes little since but hear me out!  I have never known a life without tight muscles and Charlie horses, so if I am in pain from the time, I was young, how would I know that my life was different from everyone else.  I worked on coping mechanisms like simple meditation, heating pads, and hot baths.  My joints ache from my muscles being funky all the time, however it is not enough to take any medications for it.  I also get weird nerve shocks- that is why I jump and twitch sometimes.

Q: How do you feel about CBD oil?

A: If it works for you, good for you!  I have not tried it.

Q: Do you have a normal life expectancy?

A: Yes, but never bank on tomorrow!

Q: Does it affect your sleeping?

A: Sometimes depending on the pain.  I typically get between 6-8 hours depending on a lot of factors.

Q: Do weighted blankets help you?

A: No, they make me feel claustrophobic

Q: Do people treat you differently because of CP?

A: Yes, absolutely! That is why I have started to talk about it.  Just because a person can not move as fast does not make them stupid!  Also invite them places!  We want to be, go, see, and do just like everyone else!

Q: Does CP effect your walking abilities?

A: refer to title of blog!

Q: What house modifications do you have?

A: couple more handrails for the stairs and a shower chair.  I don’t have a lot of modifications because I am at home.  I can scoot on my butt, have things carried to where I am working or eating, dress very casually, etc.  When I out, I need more assistance.

• Miscellaneous

Q: How was it transition from high school to college socially?

A: I do not talk to anyone from high school now, I hung out with people from church for a little while, and now I have found quite a few people from the disability community who I enjoy.

Q: Are you Christian?

A: Yes, I am Catholic (long story)

Q: Where did you get you cross necklace?

A: One of my church friends / mentor gave it to me for graduation, she is a lovely human who reads these so “Hi”.

Q: Do you drive?

A: No due to insurance being high, also I would need expensive modifications, and my own car.

Q: How do you get around your area?

A: I have enough family around me so I can get anywhere I want to within reason.

Q: What are you studying?

A: Communications, but also want to take some business classes

Q: What did you dream about last night?

A: I oddly enough know this.  My aunt had a sheep farm and a little lamb rammed into me got beheaded, my aunt picked it up and it turned into a kitten with freakishly long and skinny legs.  (Sorry if you were eating)  My aunt only likes dogs!

Q: What is your dream?

A: That all people, but especially those with disabilities are accepted, understood, and treated with equity.

I hope you learned something. I will slowly be answering all of these in video format, and if you have any more questions feel free to contact me!

My TikTok is @lacey.richcreek