Hi, I’m Lindsay and I was born with Cerebral Palsy. Cerebral Palsy is caused by a brain injury or brain malformation that occurs before, during, or after birth. Because of the brain damage during brain development the child’s muscle control, muscle coordination, muscle tone, reflexes, posture and balance can be affected. There are four main types of CP: Spastic Cerebral Palsy, Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy, Ataxic Cerebral Palsy, and Mixed Cerebral Palsy. I have Spastic diplegia/diparesis. In this type of CP, muscle stiffness is mainly in the legs, with the arms less affected or not affected at all. People with spastic diplegia might have difficulty walking because tight hip and leg muscles cause their legs to pull together, turn inward, and cross at the knees (also known as scissoring).

My Best Friend is, Jenny. Jenny was born with Spina Bifida. Spina Bifida is a birth defect that occurs when the spine and spinal cord don’t form properly. It falls under the broader category of neural tube defects, which are birth defects of the brain, spine, or spinal cord. They happen in the first month of pregnancy, often before a woman even knows that she is pregnant. There are three sub-types of spina bifida: occulta, meningocele, and myelomeningocele. Jenny has myelomeningocele, also known as open spina bifida, which is the most common and severe form.

With Jenny’s Spina Bifida, she also has hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is a build-up of fluid in the cavities deep within the brain. The extra fluid puts pressure on the brain and can cause brain damage. It’s most common in infants and older adults. Hydrocephalus is characterized by head enlargement in infants. Adults and older children experience headache, impaired vision, cognitive difficulties, loss of coordination, and incontinence. Treatment is often a tube (shunt) inserted surgically into a ventricle to drain excess fluid.

Our disabilities don’t affect us mentally or socially, we just need a little more physical help than most. We both have college degrees, have had romantic relationships, and live life just like you do. Hanging with friends, church activities, spending time with family, sports, music, TV and movies are just a few things we like to do. We hope this blog is a place where we can have fun!

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