First in a series. Hello, my name is Reo Kobayashi. I am a new cerebral palsy (CP) columnist here at BioNews Services. I am 20 years old and am currently a student at the University of Southern California, interested in journalism or public relations. I live with spastic…

Women make up about half of the world’s population. While I’m happy and feel blessed to be a woman, there’s no doubt that we are treated differently than men. Sometimes it’s OK for the approach to be more individualized, depending on the circumstances. However, when it affects…

Everyone has their pet peeves no matter who they are or whether they have a disability. We all have things that get on our nerves. As a person with cerebral palsy, I have my pet peeves. Let’s see if you can relate to my list. Marriage and relationships…

Have you ever acted in a play or performed as a dancer? Being onstage is often rare for people with cerebral palsy. Luckily, the times are changing, and inclusion is becoming more common. At a younger age, I dreamed of doing something onstage, and later, it became a reality.

What child doesn’t enjoy playing with toys? Toys are a developmental tool that help children learn by molding minds through play, experiments, and concept building. The Mattel doll known as Barbie is 60 years old this year. Many girls have played with Barbie through the years. Most…

Animals can be wary of me because of my involuntary movements. I grew up with dogs and have been blessed to find one that doesn’t care about my cerebral palsy. Lady is a black retriever mix around 12 to 15 years old. We rescued her from an …

February is often associated with love because of Valentine’s Day. For me, the holiday has evolved with each passing year. I’m at the point now in which Valentine’s Day seems to only get better as time passes. I’m often asked how I met my husband. I’m also asked…

Who doesn’t enjoy a good night’s sleep? We all long to fall into bed after a long, busy day. When you have cerebral palsy, it can be challenging to fall and stay asleep. Over the years, I have tried various methods to achieve uninterrupted sleep. I want to…

I recently watched “The Upside” with my husband. I never know what to expect when I watch a film about people with disabilities. Will it be realistic? Does the movie show people with disabilities in a good light? Will it be depressing? I’m thrilled to report that…

Arthritis is a common condition affecting more than 54 million people in the U.S. When someone has cerebral palsy, the chance of developing arthritis is significantly higher. I have arthritis, and I’m slowly learning how to manage it. The term arthritis means joint inflammation and encompasses over…