Monday, November 30, 2009
Cerebral Palsy
Today's class discussion on cerebral palsy made me think of someone I knew with it. My best friend in high school had a 22 year old sister who had the disease. She developed it after recieving a shot all kids get when they are young. However, she was sick when they gave her the shot. From then on she became mentally and physically handicapped. She was nonverbal, but made lots of noises. She loved to laugh. My friend was the one who took care of her a lot. She bathed her, fed her, changed her, and watched the same movie over and over with her. Annie was her favorite movie. Our senior year of high school I remember being at Kroger when I called my friend. When she answered she was crying. I obviously asked what was wrong and she told me that Rachel had passed away that morning. I couldn't believe it. I immediately dropped everything I was doing and took my sister and my other friend to my friend's house. It was so sudden, and all I could do for her was just hug her and cry with her. I had never seen her so upset before. Rachel was an amazing person, and was one of the only people I know with cerebral palsy. It was sad to think that her life was cut so short at the age of 22. The class today just made me think of her, and how much my friend's life has changed since she is gone. Rachel was her best friend, and not just a sister.
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This is such a sad story to hear. Rachel was very lucky to have such an amazing sister. It sounds like she really had an impact on those around her.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! This story almost had me in tears! It is such a bittersweet thing. Rachel was indeed very fortunate to have a sister (and best friend) who cared so much for her! I don't really know anyone who has cerebral palsy, but my best friend does have a sister with Down syndrome. This kind of makes me think of their relationship. Her sister loves Miley Cyrus and she took her recently to see her in concert at Rupp Arena. She really does help with her a lot! She even says when/if something happens to their parents that she is going to take her little sister in to live with her! I just think it is so amazing how many sacrifices my friend has made just to spend time with her little sister. Her sister is also very lucky to have someone who cares THAT much for her! :) But I really enjoyed reading your blog! Although I am sorry to hear about Rachel's passing on at 22.
ReplyDeleteAw.. this was sad. But what I heard and learned today went along with some of the stuff I previously learned in some other classes about CP. The main thing that I keep in mind is that people with CP don't have cognitive disabilities but their bodies just don't work right for them.
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