- Cerebral Palsy
- Interviews
Jennifer's interview
How did all start?
I was born with it. The dr in the delivery room in 1973 when I was born used the forceps on my head to pull me out instead of my neck and shoulders like you are supposed to causing bruising and crushing on my baby head.
Do you already have a diagnosis? How long did it take you to get it?
They told my parents bruising was natural and it would go away then when it didn't the dr told my parents I had depression so I went to every shrink there was. Finally I got good health ins and at 28 I went to a neurologist and he gave me the beginnings of the treatment.
For what medical specialties have you been treated? What has been the most useful specialty for your?
Neroulogist so far have helped the most. But now this second condition hereditary spastic parapellgia started at 40 and now nothing helps but home remedies like lavender oil and cbd gummies. I still do the treatment for the cp but this new one isn't responding to any treatment.
What has been the most useful thing for you so far?
For my cp - clonzepam
For my hsp - lavender oil & cbd gummies
What have been your biggest difficulties?
People who have narrow minds and think because I look young and healthy I'm just lazy.
How has your social and family environment reacted? Have your social or family relationships changed?
My family was not supportive at all growing up until at 28 I got the diagnosis I should have gotten at birth. Now my family is supportive and even more now with the second condition. Because of people being as they are I have lived a hermit lifestyle. It's easier that way. Now I am even more of a hermit.
What things have you stopped doing?
Walking, going to the beach, going to the mall. I go to the mall in my scooter but I can't go to the beach in it. I don't go to parks or nature walks, I am pretty much a home body.
What do you think about the future?
I try not to the dr tell me I will be permanent in a wheelchair one day but as for the increasing pain there is nothing they can do so I live in pain.
So far, which years have been the best years in your life? What have you done during them?
Age 28 - 40 I got to travel, I moved to a new state I have since moved back, I worked a lot of hours and sometimes two jobs, I went to the beach a lot, and I went fishing a lot, I have written and published 37 books. I did a lot of baking and I went out to eat a lot.
What would you like to do if you didn’t have your condition?
Work, bake, fish, travel, go to the beach, go to the mall, do more activities with friends, and most of all not be a hermit.
If you had to describe your life in a sentence, what would it be?
I am stubborn and willful, I will trudge on no matter what.
Finally, what advice would you give to a person in a similar situation?
Get to the dr. Get second or third or even forth opioin from dr don't stop til they get it right and have health insurance.
