By Tylia Flores
To the parents who just found out their child has cerebral palsy: I know that this may be a hard pill to swallow, but your journey is just beginning.
You probably will hear the word “never” a lot in the beginning of your journey with cerebral palsy. Or you may have heard that there is a possibility that your child may not be able to accomplish many things. Maybe you even hear that they will not be able to do the things that you expect for them to do. But I’m here to tell you that they will be able to soar their wings – although it may take them awhile to adjust to things. It’s going to take a lot of patience and a lot of physical therapy. For the most part, they will be able to succeed in anything that they reach for.
Seeing the world
For example, over the 22 years I lived with cerebral palsy I never let it stop me. I’ve experienced traveling from a very young age. I’ve visited different countries such as the Bahamas and Mexico. I’ve had the opportunity to see what the world has to offer me, thanks to my parents. At the age of 12, I was able to co-pilot an airplane, through an organization called Challenge Air. I had the opportunity to fly over the everglades in a private jet. I also played baseball on a special needs league for about 2 years. I had the opportunity to meet new people with different disabilities and hear their stories. I was in drama club, where I played Sandra Dee in a play called Grease, and I was a part of another play called Rent.
Never give up
Your journey is going to be unique and amazing. Full of twists and challenges, ups and downs. Always remember to never give up and never think your child can’t do something, because they can. I want to take this time to give a special thanks to my parents Carlos Aponte Jr. and Lissette Flores Aponte for being my two biggest cheerleaders over the years. They never allowed me to use my cerebral palsy as a handicap. They always let me know that I could do anything that I could put my mind to.
Tylia Flores is a 22-year-old born with cerebral palsy. Although her condition has affected her mobility, it has never affected her will and determination through her determination she is able to write stories in the hopes that she could inspire others with disabilities do to whatever they put their mind too.
She published her book “James Ticking Time Bomb” at 16 years old.
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