On my parents anniversary we went walking in the valley! It was a nice fall day good for a walk.

We went to the beading workshop at the library on Thursday evening. We learned a bit of the indigenous people’s lifestyle. It was for orange shirt day and we made orange shirt pins! It was neat to learn about indigenous people’s lifestyle and how to do their beadwork.

On Friday evening was birthday bash for September birthdays. It was a mix with country music and pop music playlists.

On Saturday afternoon I got my nails done and I got some pumpkins and red nail polish! I’m set for the fall season!

On Friday evening mom and I went to Bear Grease! It was all indigenous people acting so they changed some of the songs, and it was a very interesting play!

For thanksgiving Sunday we went to Joel and Ashley’s house for smoked turkey dinner! It’s good to be together with the whole family for thanksgiving!

On Monday morning, I coloured some birthday cards and matching envelopes for my friend Mary’s daughter Alayna’s birthday and my friend Teresa’s mom’s birthday. In the afternoon we bought Alayna’s birthday presents which was friendship bracelets kit and an homemade resin bowl. Mary said that Alayna absolutely loved her birthday card, the friendship bracelets and the homemade resin bowl!

On Wednesday afternoon we learned about drum yoga and someone named Jessica showed us how to do drum yoga. It was interesting and relaxing.

On Friday afternoon I finally finished my cross stitch hummingbird and roses.

On Saturday afternoon we decorated the house for Halloween. Unfortunately everything falls off the windows so we decorated our kitchen table for Halloween!

On Thursday evening was the charity action for Camrose Association for Community Living. It was jeans and plaid shirts themed. We got to raise money for Kandu camp kids a camp that I loved going to every summer. Their was a silent auction online for everyone to bid on items around the dinner table.

On Friday evening we went to the Halloween haunted house at the CRE! Scary Halloween decorations and everything else was making me jump, I probably jumped ten times! It was good to get into the Halloween spirit!

On Saturday afternoon Skyler , Courtney, her baby girl Marley and I went out for coffee at Starbucks. It was Marley’s 1st birthday a few weeks ago so I got her a pink sweater, white shirt and blue jeans which everyone loved and I coloured her a birthday card! We talked for two hours!

On Tuesday evening we carved some pumpkins 🎃 how do you like them? It was really fun and we listened to Halloween playlist of Halloween songs! I did a bat and a witches hat.

Cherilyn: How long have you had Cerebral Palsy?
Kelsey: I have had cerebral palsy since I was a baby. When I was 13 days old my heart stopped. It was stopped for 20-30 minutes, and that is why I have cerebral palsy.

Cherilyn: How Does Cerebral Palsy Affect Your Daily Life?
Kelsey: My muscles are tight, making my daily activities difficult, so I need help getting ready for my day. The tight muscles also affect my speech, so some people have a hard time understanding me. The tight muscles also cause me to aspirate when I eat, so I’m mostly tube fed. Cerebral Palsy also affects balance, so I can’t really sit on a chair without support, and I can’t walk on my own. I use a power wheelchair.

Cherilyn: Is Cerebral Palsy Painful?
Kelsey: When I was little I didn’t have pain, but as I get older I find my tight muscles are painful. When I sit in my wheelchair for long periods of time my back hurts. I go to the chiropractor and for massages frequently. It took awhile to figure out why I was having pain. We thought maybe my hip was out, but it’s just tight muscles.

Cherilyn: Can you walk?
Kelsey: I can walk in my walker.

Cherilyn: Tell me why you wear braces on your feet.
Kelsey: If I didn’t wear braces on my feet my muscles would shrink in my ankles, causing my feet to point. This would make it impossible to wear shoes.

Cherilyn: What kind of exercises do you do?
Kelsey: I have hip stretches. They really help with my back pain.

Cherilyn: What barriers do you face? Things that are hard in the community?
Kelsey: Sometimes people park too close to my wheelchair van, and then I can’t get in or out. This is very annoying! I can’t get into most stores downtown. I can’t go to anyone’s house unless someone carries me – everyone seems to have stairs.

Cherilyn: Do You Work?
Kelsey: Yes, I work at centra cam. Part of my job is doing school presentations to grade 5 students. I also volunteer at the fire hall, shredding paper.

Cherilyn: What Has Been Your Biggest Challenge as an Adult Living With Cerebral Palsy?
Kelsey: Back pain has been my biggest challenge.

Cherilyn: In What Ways Have You Worked to Overcome these Challenges?
Kelsey: A Phyisio Therapist at the Glenrose gave me stretches to do, and we do them every night. It has made a huge difference.

Cherilyn: Who or What Has Been Your Biggest Support?
Kelsey: Family and friends have been my biggest support.

Cherilyn: Have You Been Involved in Any Support Groups or Organizations?
Kelsey: There is a CP group in Edmonton and Calgary, but that’s too far away. I am involved with Special Olympics. That’s a fun group. I go swimming, bowling and play bocce ball.

Cherilyn: What Are Your Hobbies or Things You Like to Do for Fun?
Kelsey: In my spare time at home I colour and do word searches. I also like to go to concerts. I go to BVJ every year, and sometimes other concerts, if we can get tickets.

Cherilyn: What Advice Would You Give to Others About Making the Most of Living With Cerebral Palsy?
Kelsey: Be positive, look on the bright side and have a good attitude.