Sometimes Cerebral Palsy Simply Sucks
(Photo credit: Sanja Sjenero)
I try to give my loyal readers something positive, inspiring, or hopeful in most posts I write, but there are days when having cerebral palsy simply sucks. And, today was one of those days!
As I shared in an earlier post, my left ankle needs to be braced again; a development I’m not thrilled with. I wore heavy long-legged braces as a child. The summer before Grade Six, I had a horrendous surgery done to stabilize both ankles (details are in my book), after which I graduated to short-legged braces below the knee. Then part way through Grade Eight, I did away with the braces all together, which marked improvement to me; one tiny step towards being less different. Going back to a brace is a step backward; digression.
Nowadays, the braces (or AFOs – ankle-foot orthotics) are no longer heavy metal and sweaty leather, but rather lightweight plastic molded to the foot. Today’s appointment involved casting my foot for the plastic mold. With athetoid cerebral palsy, this was not an easy task.
I must admit that the orthotists were very patient and even answered my questions this time. Not having the rehab specialist there this time helped. Or, perhaps it was the fact that I had included the link to the previous blog post when I emailed for the appointment, after receiving notification that funding for said AFO had been approved. Whatever it was, it was nice being treated as an intelligent individual.
Because of my cp and the muscle tightness, we had to go through the casting process three times in order to get my foot in a semi good position from which the plastic mold will be made. Three times I endured my foot being twisted and turned into a position my foot doesn’t go in. And, to be honest, it hurt!
The AFOs are made of a clear plastic. Children get to choose from an album a graphic or design to customize their plastic AFO (and to make it more bearable to wear). The orthotist gave me the album to see if I wanted anything on mine. Thumbing through the images of action heroes, cute animals, or flaming lightning bolts didn’t inspire me; there was nothing business- or professional-like, no dollar signs or “I’m a hot babe” sayings. I was learning towards a plain, least conspicuous, least wardrobe clashing AFO. Then I saw the butterflies, the symbol of new life, new hope, and thought, “If I have to wear this stupid thing, why not have brightly coloured butterflies all over it?” I never had choice with the metal braces and poop brown shoes I wore all through my childhood. Hopefully the butterflies will lighten up the sucky fact that I am now back to wearing braces.
If you enjoyed this post, consider buying me a chai tea latte. Thanks kindly.
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