Monday, March 22, 2010

National Cerebral Palsy awareness day March 20th

I love someone with Cerebral Palsy. Well, actually I love someone who is amazing, smart, cute, nice, loving, caring, and brave. His name is Tyler. And Tyler HAS cerebral Palsy.

About Cerebral Palsy:
  • About 10,000 babies per year in the U.S. will develop cerebral palsy (Center for Disease Control and Prevention
  • An estimated 800,000 people have cerebral palsy in US (United Cerebral Palsy)
  • About 2-3 children per 1,000 have cerebral palsy (March of Dimes).
  • In 2003 dollars, the average lifetime cost of cerebral palsy is an estimated $921,000. This does not include hospital visits, emergency room visits, residential care, and other out of pocket expenses (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes NINDS).
  • In 2006, out-of-home respite care at the Respite House in Oshkosh, WI for children and/or adults with disabilities costs $144 per day, or $52,560 per year.
  • Two-thirds of children with cerebral palsy will be mentally impaired (NINDS).
About Tyler:

  • Tyler knows the sounds for EVERY alphabet sound.
  • He walks and he gets up time and time again, when he falls.
  • He is caring. He always always gives me hugs and when he knows I am sad he will try and make me happy.
  • He says amazing little prayers at night. And though his words don't all come out he is heard.
  • He loves his dad.
  • He loves school
  • He loves kids
  • He loves bubbles, water swimming, jumping and getting wet.

So while there are a million and one reasons that we could be defined by Cerebral Palsy we aren't. We have it. But we are strong. He is strong. He is the best and most amazing little person.

So.... Do you love Tyler, a boy who happens to live with Cerebral Palsy? Cause I do!

4 comments:

Amber said...

HIP-HIP HURRAY TYLER for being such an AMAZING boy!!!! You have overcome SOOOO MUCH in your short life and I am SOOO PROUD of how far you have come!!!! SLY!!!!!

Grandma Labrum said...

Yes, I love Tyler, too!

Nicky said...

I love Tyler so much. I loved spending time with him Saturday. He made me laugh so hard. His little personality is so fun! It is so fun to get to know how to communicate with him. He had fun at my house, I told him that only at Aunt Nicky's he can jump on the couches! :)

Beth schell said...

Yeah for Tyler! My sister has cerebral palsy too!