Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month
Did you know that March is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month? No? Well, don't feel bad. Up until a few days ago I didn't, either.
For those of you that are not familiar with CP it's an incurable condition which, according to Wikipedia, is generally caused by "damage to the motor control centers of the developing brain and can occur during pregnancy, during childbirth or after birth up to about age three. Resulting limits in movement and posture cause activity limitation and are often accompanied by disturbances of sensation, depth perception, and other sight-based perceptual problems, communication ability; impairments can also be found in cognition, and epilepsy is found in about one-third of cases. CP, no matter what the type, is often accompanied by secondary musculoskeletal problems that arise as a result of the underlying disorder."
In short, I have brain damage (hecklers insert snide remark here).
The truth is although this blog has made me more conscious of how my Cerebral Palsy comes across to others in the photos and videos on my posts I rarely give my condition a second thought otherwise. But that's because I've had 50+ years of practice to forget about it. I've lived a very "mainstreamed" life (and raised a lot of hell) but I am the exception and not the rule. There are many, many men and women with CP out there that are constantly underestimated, misunderstood, and overlooked. They can't forget about it because every day presents new challenges to move, to speak, or to prosper. Please take a little time this month to do a little research on, read a book about, or ask a few questions regarding Cerebral Palsy from a professional or a "member of the club" like me.
Since the ribbon for Cerebral Palsy Awareness is green, and yesterday was St Patrick's Day, today's outfit is the one I wished I had photographed in time for Adrienne Shubin's "How I wear my green" challenge.
It was finally warm enough for me to wear a lighter jacket to take these photos in a little park at Nashville West Center. This lined, embellished jacket is by Life Style petite and is perfect for a spring day. It's also the only new piece in the outfit. The flat-front, pull-on Westbound petite jeans are from the thrift store. I'm a huge Beatles fan so when I found this Abbey Road T-shirt at T J Maxx I had to have it. Wing-tipped, denim, Groove oxfords were a Marshall's find from last year. They somehow got put away and forgotten about so this is their debut. The Sophie watch is one of my favorites purchased four years ago. The battery died last year but I replaced it just in time for this year's hot color trend.
I realize the T-shirt is a bit askew. I'm afraid I can't always straighten out the minor details before my hubby starts snapping photos. Because it's nearly impossible for me to hold still or smile without grimacing I try to strike some semblance of a pose before he starts taking many, many pictures in hopes that some will be usable. This is a symptom of my particular form of Cerebral Palsy. Forgive me; I'm not going to sweat a lopsided shirt too terribly much.
Linking up again with Patti at Not Dead Yet Style for Visible Monday and my first Monday Mingle.