Advocating for Cerebral Palsy: Overcoming Obstacles and Finding a Voice Growing up with cerebral palsy, I experienced firsthand the lack of representation and support that individuals like me faced. This absence of understanding and empathy motivated me to become an advocate for cerebral palsy. Through my journey from childhood to adulthood, I discovered the power of writing as a means of raising awareness and founded the organization "Stomping on Cerebral Palsy." In this blog, I will delve into my personal experiences, the challenges I encountered, and how I channeled my motivation into a meaningful advocacy platform. Representation: A Missing Piece of the Puzzle As a child, I rarely encountered individuals with cerebral palsy in the media, books, or any other form of representation. This dearth of role models left me feeling isolated and misunderstood. I yearned for someone who could relate to my experiences and provide guidance. The absence of representation fueled my determination to change the narrative and ensure that future generations of children with cerebral palsy would have someone to look up to. Lack of Support: A Journey of Self-Advocacy Transitioning into my teenage years, I faced a new set of challenges. The lack of support within my community, educational institutions, and even healthcare settings was disheartening. It seemed that my needs were often ignored or overlooked. However, rather than succumbing to frustration, I decided to take matters into my own hands. From a young age, I realized that my passion for writing could be harnessed as a powerful tool for advocacy. Through words, I could express my thoughts, share my experiences, and shed light on the struggles faced by individuals with cerebral palsy. Writing became my voice in a world that often failed to listen. Founding Stomping on Cerebral Palsy: Empowering Change Fueled by my desire to make a difference, I founded Stomping on Cerebral Palsy. This organization aims to raise awareness, provide support, and advocate for the rights of individuals with cerebral palsy. Through various initiatives such as educational campaigns, support groups, and community outreach programs, we strive to create a more inclusive and understanding society. Stomping on Cerebral Palsy has become a platform for individuals with cerebral palsy to share their stories, connect with others, and access resources that can help them navigate the challenges they face. By amplifying their voices, we are breaking down the barriers that hindered me during my own journey. Conclusion My personal experiences with the lack of representation and support for individuals with cerebral palsy fueled my passion for advocacy. Through my love for writing, I found a voice and founded Stomping on Cerebral Palsy. This organization serves as a beacon of hope for individuals with cerebral palsy, providing them with the support and representation that was once lacking. Together, we can create a society that celebrates diversity, inclusion, and empowers those with cerebral palsy to reach their full potential. Link to my amazon books https://www.amazon.com/stores/Tylia-L-Flores/author/B0B3Y83ZJ5?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true Website www.tyliaflores.com |