3 Strangers Discuss Life With Cerebral Palsy | Beneath the Surface | SELF 

I'm 25, I have cp, I've been married for 6 years, have 2 little girls, graduated college, & have a job. I had the same fears of being alone forever but anything is possible 😊

this man saying "people think im dumb because i cant speak" shuttered all my stereotypes. ill never look people with severe cp the same way. bless you people

I realized that one person has mild cerebral palsy, one has moderate cerebral palsy, and one has severe cerebral palsy.

I’m 16 and I have cp. this video means so much to me. It makes me happy to know other people understand. I just got Botox and went through 5 weeks of casting. My casts are not working anymore. For the second time my legs had spasms and I can barley walk right now. I know it will pass but it scares me. My goal is to be able to do sports and guitar. Ik I won’t be as good as people without it but I’m going to prove to them that I can do it.

I have spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. This conversation touched my heart. I understand the fear of loneliness. God bless you 3! ❤️

I'm 26 and have mild left side spastic Cerebral Palsy I grew up being told no about a lot of things especially when it came to military service/ public service, well come age 16 and one of my buddies who was on my local fire department invited me to a monthly meeting and the rest is history I've been a firefighter since then I'm now working on becoming a full time Firefighter/EMT for a city in the state that I live in.

Have CP also, though very mildly, it hasn't stopped me achieving what was thought of as impossible, its only made me more determined. Full credit to those three for this video, we should be proud :)

I am 52 and have spastic diplegia CP. I am married and have a 13 year old son. Sounds good but it hasn't been easy. I am an identical twin and she died 16 days after birth. So I have always felt alone and different. People are not nice and it doesn't matter how old you get. I find positive people and hang around them to tune out all the negativity as best I can.

I have survived life...still coping with my CP and I am grateful for my father for his love and encouragement! I am a single mom of a wonderful 21-year-old college senior!

I have very mild cp where I've never had braces or anything but my right foot doesn't have great flexibility people always ask me if I sprained my ankle. I always thought if I talked about my cp it was disrespectful to the others who had more severe cases. Ive recently started watching these videos and I'm blown away by the support. Ive also dealt with the same struggles internally and by others. and I just wanted to let everyone here know that you guys are amazing and strong and you motivate me.

I love y’all. I have CP and I have been married almost 10 years and have 4 beautiful healthy children. I totally understand everything you discussed. I have never found anyone willing to hire me bc once they see me walk they assume I’m not intelligent. I think the disability act serves no purpose for us. Also I don’t receive any government assistance. Please believe me when I say love, marriage, kids it’s all possible. I have been so blessed in that area of life

I have spastic CP too and this is a VERY important topic that we all need to talk more about!!! Because we can all use are brians and work with each other to plan for the future in finding work, love and a family :)

I have an 8 year old niece with (severe) CP and seeing you three gives me hope. I hope my niece will be able to speak one day so she can express herself better

I am 26 and I have Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy the left side of my body is affected, I was diagnosed at 16 months old. My parents were told that I would not be able to walk, run, ride a bike or play sports (but I am able to do all of those things). When I was younger I did have surgery at Dupont Hospital, followed by years of PT. I am able to walk, but I have a "limp". I have provided doctors wrong and continue to prove them wrong. This video really hits home for me.

My nephew has pretty severe CP and his father passed away last year. He still doesn’t understand why he can’t see his dad. My wife and I take him a few times a month and our love for him is unexplainable 🥰 he’s the sweetest thing you’d ever meet in this lifetime.

My son is a CP warrior with seizure disorder. He is 4 yrs old now. Thanks for the inspiration.

I also have CP. I’m was diagnosed at 3 and I’m 26 now. I use a walker to get around and also have a scooter and wheelchair for long distances. My favorite motto is. “my ability is greater than my disability.” ❤️

Wow watching this video and reading the comments really lets me know I’m not alone. I have CP as well and growing up in the environment that i live in is very rough and i feel like people won’t understand where I’m coming from.

I'm a mother of a 2 year old with cp and this made me cry 😢 in a good way because these people are amazing!

I don't know anyone with CP but with a grandfather with very severe Parkinson's I have so much compassion for the gentleman feeling that people presume because he can't articulate his thoughts that the thoughts aren't there. This is why we always need to give people time even if it's difficult to communicate.

A type of physical condition is able to be overcome by people’s efforts in daily lives and in technology development. However, it is the discriminative mindset shared in mainstream culture set the biggest obstacle for people with different bodies.

I too have cerebral palsy & a fear of mine is being alone & not finding love. Hopefully some one will come along.

This is my life. I love these three.

Wow, the young lady in the middle is such an inspiration. I love her take on life.

I Also Have Cerebral Palsy And I Get This In So Many Ways You Don't Even Know. ❤ I Was Told I Wouldnt Walk I Had A Walker Then Crutches And I Went Through Cereal Casting Physical therapy And Leg Braces When I Was Younger & Had Surgery I Still Have Leg Braces I Have A Hard Time Walking & Other Things But I Just Tell Myself I Can Do Anything Maybe Not The Same Way But I Can And So Can All Of You Don't Forget That❤❤

I appreciate this conversation. I’m sorry to everyone thats been treated poorly for something you can’t control.

I have very special friends who have cp, few are deaf. I love them very much

This brought me to tears because of how amazing and special you all are. Thank you for being the strong and determined people you are!

so proud of their stories, wow, changed my view about many things! sending love to them

You all are role models and thank you for sharing your stories❤!

I thank you three for sharing your stories. Much love to you! Edit: and thank you to the comment section as well for sharing your stories as well!

I'm 16 and I have mild, moderate? cerebral palsy on my left arm and leg. I'm a candidate of surgery, so I'm preparing for that. I can walk, talk, think, and be a normal teen. I have full intelligence, smarter than some of my classmates and I'm going to AP classes (only thing that holds me back is timed essays lol). We're not delicate and we're not dumb.

Great video! I have cp that effects my right side. Growing up wasn’t always easy, used to go to a lot of doctors appointments and I remember I get teased for being different. I’m almost 30. Idk what to really say I’m so glad I came across this video, its amazing. I’m actually learning a lot by these videos cuz I never knew it was being a talked about..

Thanks for this, I am humbled by their strength. Sending love ❤️

Alright story time everyone, I was born only 1lb and 13oz and 3 months premature and had to be put into an incubator and the NICU to keep me breathing and alive while I continued to fully grow, I was in the hospital for 3 months I was hooked up to many machines and wires doctors didn’t know if I would survive as time passed other people in the NICU passed while I was still there improving my survival percentages I had 5 life threatening surgeries each one as critical as the last and due to a brain bleed on the right side I have hemiplegia Cerebral palsy which means my left side is weaker than my right side, at the age of 3 years old I finally took my first steps on my own without any help. Growing up my parents didn’t treat me as special they raised me like any other kid my age, I had many friends growing up and they didn’t care about my disability at all which I’m truly grateful for as I kid I had of dream of playing in the NHL like any other kid who liked Hockey but I couldn’t skate and plus my balance wasn’t great, so since the NHL was out of the question I turned to sled Hockey which is like stand up hockey with a couple modifications but still fast paced and competitive and I truly enjoy it, since I couldn’t play for my high school sports teams in the 7th and 8th grade I was a modified baseball manager which I loved doing then I quit until my senior year were I was the varsity hockey manager and that was the best year of my high school experience and I truly regret not doing it from my freshman to junior year, the hockey team welcomed me with open arms and considered me as part of the team, we won states that year and that was a great feeling now my name will be in the school gym forever, and all season long I was setting up a sled hockey game between my own hockey team and my varsity team, that was the only time I got to suit up in my school colors and play along side my teammates, they all enjoyed it and were excited about it. At my local church I’m in a youth group who helps to do confirmation retreat for 10th graders and I’ve been telling my life story since my junior year of high school and look forward to doing it, on my last day of high school I got up in front of my 250+ classmates who I graduated with and told them my story the response I wasn’t expecting as people were touched by my speech. On my graduation day I was mentioned by my superintendent but I didn’t catch what he was saying because I wasn’t paying attention, now I’m 19 and in my second year of college and still doing my speech in front of 10th graders and I’m possibly going to write a book about my life in the summer, just remember GOD has a plan for me and he also does for everyone else or we wouldn’t be alive

You, guys, are amazing! Stay strong and prove the whole world wrong about the perception of people with cerebral palsy!

The middle speaker has a lot to teach us. Profoundly understanding of others ignorance, that they might need to be taught, they fear what they don't know. You're a gem. Thanks for sharing. I will do better at listening and understanding.

Peace, I am 52 years old. I have cerebral palsy. This is an inspirational video. People with disabilities are the most underrepresented people on earth. To see everyone with varying degrees of cerebral palsy interacting is BEAUTIFUL. We are CAPABLE of GREAT THINGS! This video is PROOF of that #FACT!! 🌹👑👑👑❤️👍🏽📌

My niece has CP and I find solace in these videos. Thank you for relieving my concerns. 💥

I have cerebral palsy I can tell you it hasn't been easy, I have my own house, truck, dog and okay financially but doesn't seem to make much difference in the love department . I gotta tell you your fears of loneliness are well founded, I have been alone most of my life and I don't see that changing anytime soon. But in my experience women with cerebral palsy have much easier time finding love than the guys so all is not lost. I wish I had better news.

As someone also living with Cerebral Palsy, I just love this raw conversation. It's so relatable for me and I hope to see more of this. Thank you for sharing

May God bless all three of these beautiful people❤️

I am 57. Have diplegic cp. I have a wife 3 beautiful children and 4 grandchildren. I have had 25 surgeries. Told I would never walk. I became a teacher, basketball coach and athletic director. Played 1 year of college baseball. I am blessed.

What a fantastic video. 3 beautiful people right there.

So much genuine perspective shared in this brief conversation. I was diagnosed at age 5 with Spastic Diplegia Cerebral Palsy and can definitely relate to some of the topics they discussed. Thank you Self Magazine for giving us a platform 💚

You guys are so strong and don't let the trolls break your spirit or attitude ♥️♥️

I'm dating a man who has cp, and I honestly never knew there were different levels of it. I knew there were different types, but having dating him, it's open my eyes to see that there are different severities of it. I honestly thought a lot were either crutches bound or wheelchair bound, and that's obviously not the case. But it does break my heart knowing people who have this fear being alone, as somebody who's on the autistic spectrum, sometimes I feel the same way.

Thank you for this video. People who live with disabilities are so immensely resilient. I've recently made a friend with mild cerebral palsy and I want to understand her better so I'm doing research on this topic :)

These beautiful young people are so courageous and inspiring!

I love you guys. Thank you for sharing your perspectives here. You are all amazing. ❤️

I like how finally someone recognizes the cat 3s I struggle to find people around my impairment

I'm 30 and have cerebral palsy I still feel I will be alone but Im so glade this video is out here makes me feel like I'm not the only one dealing with this feeling

I am in my 20s and have spastic diplegia. Some days are really tough but my friends and my lovely fiancee support me! I loved this video.

Bless you three keep crushing it.

You guys are real heroes

I love u guys I also live with cerebral pasly....good luck to everyone God bless u go out there and turn your life into a blessing for him too.

I have cp too! Mine is very minor and pretty invisible except for a harsh ish limp, so seeing someone with pretty invisible cp being represented is rlly cool to me !!

This is amazing! You three proved to the world that not everything doctors say is definitive and nothing is impossible. Bless you all, and never give up no matter how tough things get in life. We all go through struggles, and just because someone can walk, talk, etc… doesn’t mean their others struggles aren’t hard (mental, psychological, depression, etc…).

My daughter was diagnosed at 3 months and we took her to rehab and nutrition, she would not gain weight and started sitting at 8 months. She is 2 now 2 my other children are supportive we excersise her every day. She loves kicking at a ball so her brother plays soccer with her. She has her own way of moving around the house and she's also very naughty. We all love her

I have CP as well that affects my legs mostly,I have a blended family and blessed beyond belief. I totally get this..I've had many of these same fears.Hope everyone has a great day and as always Be #CPSTRONG!!!

I have Young onset Parkinson's disease, I'm in my mid 30's and I understand it when you say people look at people with disability as if they are dumb. I also have a 4years old nephew with CP and seeing you 3 speak about CP gives me hope for him.

I have spastic quadriplegia thank you for sharing your stories it gives people like me hope it keeps me motivated to keep pushing on with the ups and downs of dealing with cerebral palsy Most of my days are awesome I don’t mind people staring at me because people Is Just apprehensive to come up to me to ask what’s my story Loneliness sucks But don’t give up because there is someone out there for everyone

In Middle School I made great friends with a Lady who had CP. I was curious to what was going on and considering I was an outcast in a way I found comfort and ease with people with disabilities. There smart and actually have feelings.I could only wish them the best. It’s been almost 15 years. Since I met her and my feelings have not changed. There’s not enough love for people with disabilities. Once you become friends with then I pull realize there the best. ❤️

God bless yous all 😊

Girl in the middle is so connected & smart 💯

Very touching. ❤️

I'm 21 and I have cerebral palsy, too. I have mild CP like the girl in the blue. But I don't walk with crutches.

Ok I just balled my eyes out.. I’m thinking of you 3!

That was a very informative and heartwarming video

My brother Artie has CP, he is 34 years old, and he is an amazing and warm hearted man 👨 ❤

I’m 30, I have cp too, I’ve been married for 8 years we have two little boys. I graduated college mayor computer science . Anything is possible never give up

Wow I have cp and was told the same won’t be able to walk or talk but I do it yes it’s challenging I have a speech problem and lisp and I have balance issues as well as depression and anxiety and this made me feel better about myself

💖 Thank you for sharing!

You all ROCK.

Being Alone iz something I am scared for too because I do my self have cerebral palsy on my right side of my head to feet , Toes . And it does effect me in most ways 🗣🙏 Love this Wish I could speak out also 😭👀

keep fighting you guys i love you all so much

My six year old has moderate CP. She can walk on her own although she is unable to speak more than one sentence and has seizures (she also had Hydrocephalus). My biggest fear is to not being able to take care of her the rest of her life or dying before knowing she would be ok on her own. I just hope her two brothers will take the lead once mom and I depart this world. I would die a happy man to know she will be ok.

I have spastic hemiplegia cerebral palsy on my left side of my body and I’ve also been diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety, and dysthymia. I struggle with social skills and executive functioning skills because of how my brain hemorrhage affects me. I’ve had grown up with social isolation and it’s still a painful struggle for me to this day as I am a college student in my early 20’s.

Even though I do not have CP, I had friends who did. That is why I never judge a book by it's cover. Also, enjoyed the video.

THEY ARE MY HEROS. ♥️💙♥️

So much I can relate

Definitely gained a new perspective, amazing video

I have cp and have limp that effects my whole left side eye left arm,left leg and ankle ,deal with pain every day since birth I'm 53 it's hard to deal with but you can do it

I have CP as well, great video!

You guys can all get married despite disability. My husband has severe cp with a speech problem and we’ve been married for 21 years and now have 2 adult children. The possibility of having a family is totally possible. We had one child biologically, the other is adopted.

Life is so unfair. Pray and hoping the next lifetime for these three will be healthy ,happy ,wealthy for them and nothing but joy and pleasure.

25 with CP use aids when needed but felt this so hard.

I'm 49 and I have athetoid cerebral palsy. I have an adult son, which I raised on my since he was 8. He is busy living his life now and we're not so close anymore. I've only ever had 3 relationships and I am currently single. Because of my mental health struggles, my biggest fear is being and dying alone.

Sending love ❤️

Good people!

I have cerebral palsy but I believe that everybody should go ahead live their life. It might be harder for some of us but

I have CP and am in my 40s and am very happily married. You can absolutely have your own family if you have CP!

I relate a lot with these three people because I have this disability and it's hard dealing with the loneliness that we feel inside. I've been really thinking about making videos telling my story. And try to connect with people that are going through the same struggles. But I have been really shy about starting my own channel.

i have CP i’ll be 25 this october i walk independently like normal legs my legs get intense when i see stairs i don’t stutter i talk normally i can do a lot of things i can think sometimes i can’t solve, i want someone to be there with me sometimes i get lonely my mom said i can’t have children my family said i don’t need a boyfriend i want friends that understand my CP but i don’t have friends... i’m still sad about it

Ahhhhww I feel for them!!

I think the same I am 23 also with mild cp

A lot of times when people first meet me, people assume there’s something cognitively wrong with me because cp effected my speech. Im not worried about being alone and lonely later on in life. Since I’m never getting married. I am worried about finances, later on in life though.

These girl look really ok for somenone who has cp, impressive

Dear God may we all be able to learn from these beautiful people..none of us would pay for these disabled bodies but we should all long for these souls.. we should all long for this wisdom! #GODSPEOPLE

I have cerebral palsy. Good video