Going to a hair salon is a unique adventure for people with cerebral palsy. Sitting still through hair washing and a styling session can be difficult. I often find myself wishing the hairstylists and salon personnel were better informed about people with disabilities. Here’s some advice for…
Camping isn’t on the top 10 list of activities for people with disabilities. Growing up, I went to a summer camp for children with disabilities, but I stayed in cabins with bathrooms. Five years ago, my husband asked me to go camping. I didn’t think it would work…
Summer is a terrific time of year, especially when you’re a child. There’s no school, no homework, and sometimes a family vacation to look forward to. When I was growing up, our family vacationed for a week at Rehoboth Beach in Delaware. My parents rented a trailer,…
Being in an emergency situation while feeling helpless is a terrifying experience. I try to prevent emergencies by planning for the worst. However, awful situations happen, no matter how much one plans ahead. When I was pregnant with my daughter, I took an infant CPR class. The instructor…
School summer vacation has just begun. My husband and I sit in bed after our two children fall asleep and we discuss summer plans and trips. We always have accessibility issues at the back of our minds. I know he loves to go camping, but my disability…
Expeditions can challenge anyone. However, no matter how challenging, a physically difficult goal is beneficial for people with cerebral palsy. Working on controlling, strengthening, and loosening muscles helps with learning patterns, which can increase coordination. Many people with disabilities participate in a variety of sports and extreme physical…
My son, Jason, graduated from pre-kindergarten last week. I noticed all kinds of graduations on social media from my friends and family. Graduation is a bittersweet moment. On the one hand, you feel ecstatic because you’ve accomplished something monumental. On the other hand, you are closing the door…
Imagine that you are an elementary school student, and your entire class is going on an overnight camping trip. Of course, you would like to go and you start to feel excited. But then you remember your physical disability and realize that a nature hike would probably be…
How many times a day do you have something to drink? For most people, drinking is as easy as picking up a glass and taking a sip. However, for many of us with physical disabilities, drinking is a lot more complicated. People who have disabilities often refuse…
Caring for a puppy is a huge commitment. Puppies are adorable, and they pull at your heartstrings. But along with their intense cuteness and personality come responsibility and time. One important tip I’ve learned is to research dog breeds before getting a puppy because different breeds require varying…