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Strong Enough to Fight It: Living with Cerebral Palsy Through My Eyes

Good News Post

Sep 10, 2025 — 2 min read

Ellise Hollie-Hayward, Disabilities Correspondent and advocate

By Ellise Hollie Hayward, Disabilities Correspondent

In this honest and moving poem, Ellise, Disabilities Correspondent and advocate shares what it’s really like to live with cerebral palsy — the challenges, the strength, and the daily fight most people never see.

If you ever see me, here are a few things you should know

I live with cerebral palsy, I may not be able to walk, talk, run or feed myself without struggling

But I can still touch, see, smell, taste, and hear.

I may need a walking frame but I still can walk with some support.

I may need to use a communication device but at least I still have a voice.

I may need support with feeding so please don’t stare.

I use a wheelchair on the days when my body feels weak and tired.

No one will fully understand what it’s like to live with pain every day

Yes, we tell our stories but people will never know the full extent of our lives

Every activity is a struggle but yet, we struggle in silence

Sometimes it’s me against my body, will my body listen to me today?

Will I have a flare up in pain?

I balance each day on a tightrope

Pushing limits

Ignoring fatigue’s whispers

I keep going until my body feels like it has a hundred of weights on

Every movement is a struggle

Tiredness will increase

Too proud to ask for help

But I guess it’s my life and I will forever live with cerebral palsy

I always believe that I’m given this life for a reason

Because I’m strong enough to fight it

I fight the pain, I fight the battle, I fight for life itself

Just imagine, just 5 minutes in my shoes

Speaking through a communication device to communicate your wishes

Relying on a walking frame or wheelchair to get around

Leaning on another’s hands to feed you

Living with pain that never leaves

This is reality.

This is truth.

So never take your life for granted

What you call an ordinary day is someone else’s dream.

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