March 2017

Cerebral palsy, also known as CP, is the loss or impairment of motor function caused by brain damage. Motor function is used to describe activity or movement in relation to the use of muscle and nerves in the body. In other words, CP is the loss or impairment of muscle activity and movement.

Life doesn't always stay on the course you've plotted for yourself. This was a lesson I learned early in my life. Born and raised in the small town of Upton in central Massachusetts, I was steering toward a life as an athlete, earning six varsity letters in baseball and basketball in high school. But an injury my senior year meant I had to give up both sports.

Every day is an opportunity to live, love, laugh, and learn. Can you imagine growing up with a disability, confined to a wheelchair and being able to say those same words? Can you really live life to its fullest and make the most of it in that condition? I can and I did. My wheelchair isn't a prison; it's my chariot of freedom.

Creating art is something I can do without anyone's help. In fact, it's one of the very few things I can do by myself. What's important to me is the ability to control at least one thing in my life because of my severe limitations. Everything I do takes immense energy and endurance. Luckily for me, I am very stubborn, and my tenacity keeps me from giving up anything I feel is important.