I am the face of Cerebral Palsy!

We spread Awareness......

For Cerebral Palsy Awareness month we thought that sending a personalized letter to family and friends was the best way to not only spread awareness but give a little update on Maelee. Many do not want to ask questions because they are afraid they will hurt our feelings or they will say the wrong things. We sent letters all the way to California, up to New York and all the states in between. Maelee and I have met some amazing people along this ride and are so thankful for their support, love, and hugs even from afar on a daily basis. With each letter we enclosed a wristband we created as a family! One side has: Cerebral Palsy Awareness and the other side says: Love, Hope, Cure with a butterfly on each side! :)

We hope to send more letters and wristbands next year! Below is the letter we enclosed with the wristbands! Help us spread awareness not only in March but all year for this disorder that affects so many lives!

I am the face of Cerebral Palsy. I have Mild Left Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy. It is a disorder and there is no cure!

 My name is Maelee Adams. I was diagnosed with CP 

 when I was 10 months old.

There are many types of CP and it affects everyone                                                          differently.  Some people have spasticity (stiff muscles), dyskinesia (uncontrollable movements, or ataxia (poor balance and coordination).             Spastic CP is the most common type and affects 80% of the people diagnosed, this is the type that I have                                               

                                               

CP can affect your arms, legs, one arm, one leg, or every limb you have. I have left Hemiplegia, that means my left arm and left leg are the affected ones. We don’t know how this will affect my future but we do know that therapy is the best treatment possible. I participate in occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and play therapy once a week to allow for the best movement and coordination of my body. I have been fitted for SMO braces for my ankles to help me continue to do my best, currently falling is a frequent event and my poor Momma can’t watch my face go splat on the concrete anymore.

Not everyone who has CP uses a wheelchair, not all have noticeable problems but each has many challenges to over come and it is not an easy task. Many days I am so tired that I just don’t want to move anymore. There are days I would rather crawl than walk. There are days when I fight doing anything I am supposed to, even though I know it will help me. I am tired. My muscles get tired. I get muscle spasms and it hurts.

There are many causes/risk factors of CP: low birth weight, premature birth, multiples, infection during pregnancy/birth, jaundice, and complications. Some people can acquire CP later in life from brain damage caused from an accident or an infection they obtain.  Either way CP is usually caused from brain damage that happens before birth up to the first 3-5 years of life. I do not know the exact cause of my CP, I know I was born with risk factors and then later diagnosed.  It drives my Mom crazy to not know why this happened. But I keep showing her it doesn’t matter why, just that I am ok! J

CP affects over 800,000 Americans and 17 million people worldwide. This is a large statistic and I am apart of it.  Please help spread awareness and visit reachingforthestars.org to see how you can help today!

With Love,                                      

Maelee Adams