I remember helping a friend work through some issues when the conversation moved to my blog. I used to think everyone could write, but through our conversation, it became clear that my ability to write, came as a gift with my disability.

Without cerebral palsy, I wouldn't have autism and through autism, my senses are heightened. Whilst I failed as a child and was embarrassed to talk, or even own up to my failings, through my intuition I see the world differently.

Yes, through my intuition, I see the bigger picture on my experiences, helping others understand their own lives. Being able to write in this way and bring understanding on my experiences, for others also, means we may see the light.

Ilana Estelle is a mental health and wellbeing advocate who combines educational insight with her personal experience of living with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. She holds diplomas in Counselling, Diet and Nutrition, Nutritional Therapy, Psychotherapy and Counselling, and Stress Management. Through her writing, Ilana supports others in navigating their emotional, mental, and physical health challenges. In addition to writing for The CP Diary, her work has appeared in healthy lifestyle magazines. Ilana is also the author of three books: Cerebral Palsy: A Story – Finding the Calm After the Storm, Spirituality, Healing and Me, and Survival: The Covid Years – Time for Change.

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4 comments on “A gift from Cerebral Palsy”

  1. Yes, you're able to see the world from a totally different perspective, which is a gift as far as your writing.

    I have also been able to see things differently from other people considering what I have been through and experienced in my life.

    I was exposed to a lot of horrible things as a child, but nobody ever explained what was going on; so eventually I had to figure it out on my own.

    My skills as an empath were put to the test, as I had to quickly figure out who was safe and who wasn't, after my parents brainwashed me into being nice to a lot of very sick people.

    I can usually see what others may not see, or choose not to see, in a situation, which is really the only reason I survived my childhood and now it is finally time to start writing about it!

    1. Thanks Randy. Yes, the irony is that your parents won't have know those people were sick. When we have something going on ourselves, we don't always see it in others.

      When I was growing up it was expected that we would be respectful. Our lives were based around respect. We used to have to call everyone aunt and uncle, even though they weren't.

      But sometimes the best way to figure something out is to work it out ourselves. I too spent a lifetime working through things myself.

      Looking back it worked out well. I do what I do because I worked it all out myself.

  2. I agree your writing is a gift. Your blogs resonate and shine a light in these dark times. You endured your childhood for good reasons, not obvious at the time but obvious now.

    1. Thank you! I'm happy to leave your response with you. I have nothing more that I feel I need to add.

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