Lil' Miss Mae's Photo Contest

The Cerebral Palsy Family Network is hosting a "photo contest" to spread the word about their network, and to give people a chance to share their experiences with cerebral palsy.  The contest also involves submitting an essay about 'what has worked well for your child with cerebral palsy,' and below is what I shared about Little Miss Mae....I would also like to share this story with those of you that follow our blog, and would love to have you click on over to the site and "VOTE" for her if you get a chance.  You are allowed to vote once daily until Nov. 15th.  You have to find this photo and click "VOTE."

Just "liking" it doesn't actually count for the contest.  If you've already voted, please vote again, and share with all your electronic friends and acquaintances!  Lil' Miss Mae is at about 129 votes at the time of this posting, so you'll have to scroll down through a few rows of photos to find hers.  Thanks for your support of our sweet daughter! More importantly than winning the contest to us, is having her story shared to encourage as many people as possible.  To vote, click here: http://www.facebook.com/cpfamilynetwork  You will have to "like" the Cerebral Palsy Family Network page and then click "vote." Here is her story and a few extra photos that aren't included in the contest entry!:

C. has cerebral palsy, but cerebral palsy does not have her!  At birth, she was predicted to never have a quality of life more than a vegetative state, and it was recommended that we take her off life support.  God had a bigger plan though, and we continue to be amazed by the skills she acquires and what He teaches us through her. 

C. at The Children's Hospital....2 days old....lots of equipment and angels keeping her going at this point...

It has not been easy, but now, at age seven, C. attends public school in a regular second grade classroom, is learning to walk, drive her new power wheelchair, feed herself, and communicate verbally and with her communication device.  Her perseverance for difficult tasks is humbling, her joy contagious.  C. receives occupational, physical and speech therapy weekly, and I truly believe we have to credit her private therapies for helping her gain more and more physical independence throughout the years.   

C. practicing walking with her private PT, Ms. A

I also find that when I am able to attend therapy sessions with her, we see even more progress that way.  It is not easy to make this happen weekly, with two other children (one of which is 7 months old!) and no support of family in the area, but I truly do see strides of progress when I am able to be an active participant in this aspect of C.’s life.  

Having C. included in the regular education classroom has been very impactful to her progress in all areas as well.   

C and Mrs. B, her amazing kdg. teacher, May 2011

With Ms. C at kdg. program, May 2011

This would not be possible if it were not for C.’s one-on-one para-professional that assists her in the classroom.   

Pictured at the Special Olympics May 2012, with her one-on-one para-professional

Having C. included in the regular education classroom is something we had to fight for initially, but it was a fight that has had a truly positive outcome.  Not only does C. learn so much from the other kids, but to watch them interact with her is incredibly touching. 

C. also uses a Vantage communication device which she received when she was three and is quite proficient with it now.  This is truly her “voice” and not only allows her to communicate her needs and wants, but also allows us her to show others how much she truly understands and allows gives us a fun glimpse at her witty sense of humor. 

We are now working on beginning to motivate C. to begin to also use the TouchChat app on an iPad to communicate as well.  Having her “voice,” phone, texting capabilities, web navigation, camera, learning apps, and Facetime feature (to communicate with her grandparents and aunts and uncles which all live out of town and even some out of state), all on one small device that looks like what everyone else uses, vs. multiple and often bulky devices, really seems like the practical wave of the future not only for C., but for all individuals struggling to communicate. 

Although having cerebral palsy is not easy, the therapies, supportive school and community environment, and the wide benefits of technology are allowing C. to truly thrive and we are truly thankful to God for all he has done for her and is doing through her.