"I remember not being able to peel my eyes off my odd-looking left foot as a child and next to now muscle tone and becoming irritated, seeing my other beautifully formed right leg and foot staring back at me.
I was never able to get past that. Fast forward to the present day and I can look in the mirror at my foot and my leg, without feeling annoyed and irritated any more. My Cerebral Palsy: 'A Story' books book brings understanding and in part, acceptance that what happened, happened. Imagine growing up knowing you look and behave different to the other kids – you don't know why and you're picked on because you don't fit into the 'normal' social norms.
I know that without being able to write about my experiences, in a safe place, I could never have pieced my disability or my experiences together. Authors writing their thoughts out in this way aren't being disloyal, they're simply writing their truth, in a way that brings acceptance for them, on their experiences. If the shoe were on the other foot.
These shouldn't have been my experiences. Everyone has a right to know about what they deal with – and to have the mental and emotional support. I struggle to comprehend this continued over 4.5 decades.
If you fancy reading either of my books, you can grab paperback and Kindle copies on Amazon, or through the following link https://www.thecpdiary.com/my-books
It took me a very long time to realise that just because I have to accept something, doesn't mean that I have to like it.
I was thinking about it, while I was watching a movie where young girls were being treated badly, because they were considered to be 'different.' It brought back many haunting memories that I have spent a lifetime trying to forget.
I always wondered as a child what it would be like to have had a normal life like other kids where they didn't get picked on for wearing glasses and being too smart.
There were a lot of things that I could have and should have done; I will have to overcome my numerous paralysing fears to do what I can.
Thanks Randy. I never thought about the analogy growing up, I was too wrapped up in anger to care or understand that I needed to find acceptance.
Yes, the haunting memories. I had many a haunting memory around my education, or in my case lack of education growing up. I can't remember when I finally came through that period, but it was years rather than months.
Acceptance is a good thing. Through getting my thoughts down I have managed to reconcile how and why my life turned out the way it did.
Like you, I don't like it either, but I do have to find an acceptance that works for me. And for you too.
Your book brings acceptance, but it also brings hope where hopelessness has a firm hold.
Some very anxious people are waiting to read your book, I'm one of them.
Thank you for this Tim. I was also hoping the book would bring closure, but I think I'll have to wait a while longer for that.
I can't wait for you to read the book. Please let me know when you receive it.