My Life With Cerebral Palsy

When I was when I was 16 years of age, my parents were told by the experts that I wouldn’t progress any further than grade 5 in a formal educational setting. I should drop out. This actually gave me a sense of relief. I wasn’t accomplishing anything; I didn’t feel like I was getting anything done. I was just passing time. It was not pleasant. I was in a special class of 7 or 8 students, in a normal school setting.

My father, a former Army Captain, opened a service station so I could work for him. I ran the night shift. It was quite horrible, especially at 4 am while trying to stay awake. I would run out to the cars. I could handle the cash register easily and one time I even got robbed. Going to the cop shop was quite an experience!

At the age of 21, being much more motivated, I went to an Adult Education Center. Within 10 months I had achieved my grade 12. It was a miracle! I set my own pace. I accomplished things that were incredible. I was determined. I worked like a Trojan while living at home with my parents and older brother in London, Ontario. Dad dropped me off at school every morning and I took the bus home every night.

My Dad was proud of me. I was proud of me; everybody was proud of me. On the last day of school, the Principal called me in front of the whole school of about 400 students. He presented me with two book ends. It was incredible! And I still have the book ends and a book of poems with my classmates’ comments inside the hard covers. I tell you this not to brag about myself, but to reinforce the idea that we all have untapped resources within us.

  To find out what I'm doing now in the world to enhance it for the disabled goto my new website https://howtoincreaseyourrestaurantsales.com/.