Emily, 13, has cerebral palsy, but she's determined to stay positive. Here's her story...
Emily's Story
My mum was expecting me on the 14th February but I came four weeks early. Tragically I was a twin but my sister, Lucy died two hours and forty-seven minutes after she was born.
Because I was so early I was put on a life support machine and an incubator.
The doctors knew there was something wrong with me, but they couldn't put their finger on it.
As I grew older my differences started to become more apparent: my feet pointed in, I had spasms which were sometimes really painful and I couldn't walk.
The diagnosis
A few days after my second birthday the doctors diagnosed me with cerebral palsy or CP.
CP can happen for a lot of different reasons. For me it was because when I was born I had a minor brain hemorrhage. It burst a vein that sends messages to my legs, this is what stops me from walking.
At the age of nine, I had an operation. I was so excited because I thought I could be "normal" afterwards and be able to walk. I was tired of the leg braces and my rollater (a frame that supports me so that I can walk short distances).
The operation lasted for about three hours. I was tired, drowsy and in pain. My mum slept in the hospital bed with me for the week I was in there. I used to think to myself when I was in pain, "At least I'll be able to walk like my friends soon."
Images posed by models. Some names have been changed.
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After the operation
After two weeks of pain, tiredness and excitement, I had my bright pink plasters taken off. The rest of the day I was in physiotherapy. The physio got me to walk holding my mum and dad's hands and then she stood behind me and told me to let go.
“ I put one foot in front of the other and, although I was unstable, I was walking!”
I was terrified I was going to fall flat on face! But then something amazing happened... I put one foot in front of the other and, although I was unstable, I was walking! I only managed a few steps, but it was start!
But after six months I still wasn't able to walk for long amounts of time. I was gutted. My friends had all been impressed by my progress and I thought it was my one shot to be like them.
We went back to the hospital. They took a look at my reflexes (how loose or tight my muscles were) and told me the devastating news: I would never walk normally like my friend. I cried for ages and kept thinking "Why me?"
Looking to the future
But after a lot of time and thinking I have learnt that I don't need to walk to be normal. After all there is no such thing as normal. If there was we wouldn't be unique.
I have been told that I can have another operation to help me be more lose and walk longer distances with my rollater. I thought about it long and hard but have decided against it. I'm not prepared to go through another operation.
Things are so much more positive now though - I play wheelchair sports and hope to be in the Paralympics long distance wheelchair race one day. I did twenty-three minutes in the London Mini Marathon 2009.
I don't know where I'd be without my mum, dad, my brothers Phil and Ethan or my best friends Olivia, Chloe and Faith. Thanks for reading my story and if you’re going through anything similar I hope you can find strength too.
More information:
NHS information about cerebral palsy
Scope - a charity dedicated to achieving equality for disabled people, focussed on cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy on BBC Health
Images posed by models. Some names have been changed.
Pictures posed by models.
Your comments
s, 14
i think you have amazing courage and an even more amazing outlook....i admire your strength and belief in yourself :-)
Rebecca, 14
Wow i think that you are amazing, i hope to see your name among the contestants in the olympics one day heehee xx
Niamh x, 12
Wow you are so brave! I used to look after a little girl with cerebral palsy, and she found life quite hard. Good luck with your sports :-)
bex, 15
hi emily i have cp as well and i had an op 6 weeks ago im going to the hospital today to start standing and walking like you were im worried im going to fall but your story has made me feel alot better and it put a smile on my face. i think you were right to say no to another op no one wants to go through this twice. good luck for the future and im sure if your twin was alive today she would be really proud of you good luck and keep strong honey xx
Emmahh, 15
hey there. i would just like to say youu must have been so brave and determined to go through all that pain. im sure there are many young people out there like yourself who can learn from this and will be able to find the strength to overcome their disability. also, my friend has got cerebral palsy which shes had since she was a baby and to me i think life is getting better for her as she goes along. so for everyone out there whos got this, i hope youu all find the strength to get over it and get well soon :)
Laura, 14
I'm really glad everythings worked out for you now and youve got great friends and family to support you :) well done on completing the london mini marathon as well and good luck with all your sports :) xx
Hannah, 13
Omg i totally feel for you. I have just had Bell's Palsy which means that half of my face was paralysed and it was so scary. Your soo brave and your such a role model for other teenagers.
Kellie, 15
Omg well done for being so brave. i have a friend who has cerebral palsy, she has had about three operations and is doing really with her physio too. xxx
Jess, 13
awwww I feel soo sorry for you. But it's good that your thinking about the future. You're right about no one being normal. We are ALL unique. You're just a special unique. I hope you do get into that Paralympics!! Good-luck for the rest of your life Emily :D
katie, 13
you are such an inspiration to others! it's amazing how you've come this far and i hope you continue to do well in your sports. You sound like you could carry on and maybe make a career out of it! well done xkt
Jade, 16
I think Emily is amazing. She is such an inspiration to have such a positive outlook on life. Reading her story made me realise how we can take the most simple things for granted such as being able to walk. x
Sarah, 12
My little sister has got CP but she had viral meningitus when she was born. She cant talk properly and her feet point in. When she was first born no one expected her to live but she is now 10. I am really proud of her and i know how it feels when you just dont want any more operations after all if you werent meant to be how you are you wouldnt be here :D x
Harriet, 13
Wow! I think you're so brave and I totally admire you're strength and courage. There is a boy in my tutor group who has cerebral palsy but he is one of the funniest boys I know! He's really kind and nobody treats him any differently! I am sure you will get on just as well as he does! xxxxxxxxxx
