The CP Diary started as a personal outlet – a way for me to reflect on my thoughts, emotions, and life experiences that came with a very late cerebral palsy diagnosis. It would take another 10 years after that to get an autism diagnosis. While my journey began with physical, mental and emotional challenges, I quickly realised the conversations I was having on the blog went far beyond any one diagnosis.

Search for Understanding

It's evolved into something more universal: it's a space where reflections, mental wellness and emotional clarity come together. It’s about navigating daily life, with all its unpredictabilities and finding perspective in the process.  Whether I’m writing topics on anxiety, talking about external influences, finding meaning in what I get to deal with, or reflecting on my experiences, the common thread throughout is a search for understanding. I write not just to share what I have learned through my experiences, but to be able to process those experiences. To pause, to reflect, and to find peace. I struggle with that. 

Go Deeper and Take Control of How You Feel

Although cerebral palsy went on to shape my early view of the world, without me knowing that's what it was, I have chosen for it not to be the focus here. Instead, my focus is on how I view life, because I need to get through life. With cerebral palsy and autism and without my twin that is difficult. The aim of the diary is to create space initially for me, but for us to ask ourselves questions like: how do I feel? Why do I feel this way? How do I move forward on what I get to deal with? What does wellbeing really look like and how do I cope? Go deeper, stand back and take control of how you feel. Yes, ask yourself the questions. 

My Writing

I write from lived experience, through themes that are relevant to us all – resilience, acceptance, growth and self-awareness. We’re all working through something, even if the details are different. The CP Diary is a place for you to sit with your thoughts. It’s a space for you to read and explore your thoughts, helping you to make sense of your experiences. If my blog helps others feel more understood, more grounded, and more hopeful, then it’s doing what I hoped it would. Thanks for being here, your journey matters to me too.

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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