To celebrate the theme of World CP Day 2024, #UniquelyCP, we invited half a dozen people with lived experience of CP, plus their families and allies, to take part in a photo and video shoot.
#UniquelyCP celebrates the individuality and uniqueness of every single person with lived experience of cerebral palsy – their passions, pursuits and unique experiences.
Check out the video here, and learn more about the stories of our stars and why World CP Day means so much in their own words:
A massive seizure at two years of age changed the trajectory of Elena’s life, but the support of the cerebral palsy community has been a guiding light for Elena, her twin sister Anabelle and their family.
Elena is non-verbal and uses a wheelchair for mobility – her personality shines through in her cheeky nature, smile and gentle interactions with her siblings.
For mum Tingting, who migrated from China a decade ago, finding a community of therapists, support workers and other families with lived experience of cerebral palsy have given her an unshakeable sense of belonging.
And whether going on weekend bushwalks, holidays or dance classes, Elena – who is starting school next year – is experiencing life to the fullest alongside her family.
“World Cerebral Palsy Day is a great way to show people what we’re capable of doing and to [get] their understanding… World CP Day provides us an opportunity to celebrate Elena, her uniqueness and her beauty.”
Travelling the world, sailing, living independently, writing multiple books – Maria has achieved just about everything she has set her mind to.
With husband Lindsay by her side, Maria will shortly be publishing her second book, ‘The Intrepid Wheelies’, which shares 67 years of wisdom.
“Just live your life the way you want to live your life. You only have one life, do whatever you want to do – nothing is impossible if you really want it,” she says.
And while she has seen disability awareness and perspectives on cerebral palsy shift positively over the years, Maria continues to advocate tirelessly for greater inclusion.
She is particularly focused on communication – having worked on multiple breakthrough projects with CPA Research Institute – and travel, a life-long passion of hers.
“There’s so much more to do and so many ways society needs to change… People just need to take the time to understand that we are people first, before we are people with cerebral palsy.”
With university degrees in community welfare and inclusive education in disability studies, Nicole is an expert in disability in more ways than one.
Nicole is a CPActive champion and member of the CP-Achieve Centre of Research Excellence, and is committed to creating meaningful change for others with disability.
One stereotype about cerebral palsy that Nicole is passionate about dispelling is the misguided assumption that “a person can’t do something just because they have CP… don’t believe our capabilities are all the same, we are all individuals with different pathways.
“My message for people with CP this World CP Day is just to embrace your individuality. Like able-bodied people we are all so different in many ways. But we all bring something to the community and to society.”
For 34-year-old Ismail, combining his lived experience of cerebral palsy with technology has unlocked a world of possibility.
As a researcher at the University of Sydney, Ismail is currently working with a team of biomedical engineers and assistive technology experts on a range of groundbreaking projects, sharing insights from his lived experience.
“Every day is a learning experience, it’s been quite surreal. I’m helping students with their PhDs and being credited as an academic author. Students grow and become more empathetic when they understand disability in a different manner.”
“I feel like people with disabilities have a very unique perspective and experience, so don’t assume that we’re not intelligent – that’s the biggest misconception when you see a person with disability.”
Music fan and thrill-seeker Brianna says the most meaningful part of a global awareness day like World Cerebral Palsy Day is how it works as a platform for people to prove their abilities and crush misconceptions.
“Prove to other people that we are more than our cerebral palsy. We are unique humans and we all have different abilities and are amazing in our own way.”
Bree’s values of fearlessness and resilience are on show when she advocates for greater accessibility on airlines – for her, societal stigma and stereotypes around disability are barriers, not her physical condition.
And every day, she lives by a simple motto: “Let’s kick ableism in the butt!”
