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Just How Independent Are You?

Since it is CP awareness month I am going to try to be more intentional on opening your eyes to my world. Recently I got a question from someone that asked me so what do you usually need help with? Like do you do your own hair? Do you cook? So here we go...

The Lord has truly blessed me to the fact that I am such an independent person living with CP. When this person asked me if I do my own hair it struck a soft spot because I remember being younger and wondering if I would be able to do my hair on my own. I absolutely can. I curl it, straighten it, do messy buns all of it. I do my makeup and everything.

So you may be thinking okay okay what do you struggle with..

Buttons..especially those tiny ones. Oh boy they are a challenge but you know what is awesome they have this item called a button hook that I have used since I was five years old. It literally is the best adaptive tool and allows me to button any size button.

Cutting.. Oh you want me to hold a fork and a knife to eat? Haha oh no I am a mess if I do that. The food item would have to be pretty tender or soft for me to use a regular knife so here is another adaptive tool I use which is called a rocking knife. It has a handle on top and the blade is in a u shape so you just rock it back and forth to cut your food. Its pretty awesome and has saved me from having to ask someone to cut my food.

Twisting caps.. If you are my dear friend you know how I really hate water bottle caps, soda caps, pasta sauce lids, all to those items where you have to twist the top off. I just don't have the ability to squeeze and twist hard. I mean don't get me wrong I try but most of the time I end up asking someone. My dad just found a device that will twist off any cap so we shall see if it works and if it does oh boy that will make a difference in my life.

Scooping food on to my plate.. I mean lets be real if you ask me to hold something, balance it, and pick up something else it is not going to go well. I mean I can do it but it is probably easier if someone else helped me.

But other than those few things I am pretty much doing everything else by myself. Thank goodness for people creating these adaptive tools that allow me to do the things that I struggle with. I don't know how the Lord has blessed me with such independence but I am utterly grateful. Only He has given me the strength to never give up and to always try. Even if I try and fail I find a way to make it possible. The Lord has given me the strength and determination. Yes things can be frustrating but there is always a way. Because people with CP are warriors and we will always fight for our needs.

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