Inspired by A Jar of Autism.
What would it be like if I could scoop my CP up and put it in a jar like that little blue flame that Hermione jars in Harry Potter? It would be a fairly high commodity, I would think. After all, if you bought CP In A Jar, you would get all those “special” accommodations, like being able to type all your notes and being able to leave class five minutes early - a whole five minutes of NO CLASS! Of course, that’s assuming that you would even be able to get those accommodations, after doctors and therapists and everyone and their mother have said that yes, you do actually NEED those accommodations, only then will they relinquish them. And the doctors take forever to get back to you too, and none of them actually know anything about cerebral palsy, so you end up writing the entire letter yourself and having the doctor stick his/her signature on it. And even after you get those coveted accommodations, after you’ve struggled and cried for so many years trying to get them, there will still be people who tell you you don’t need them. Some of those people will be the very people who are supposed to help you. Do me a favor and direct those people to me. I’ll sell them CP in a Jar, so that they can know what it’s like.
And if you got CP in a Jar, then you could get one of those AWESOME wheelchairs (like a car!) and go, like, a million miles an hour (when in actuality it’s only 4.5 - I know, I’ve looked it up), and SIT ALL THE TIME. And all those unfortunate people who don’t have CP in a Jar will say “I wish I could sit all the time!” That is, of course, assuming insurance will cover the cost of a wheelchair, assuming the powers that be think your wheelchair is “medically necessary”. Never mind that the powers that be have never actually MET you and have absolutely no idea what YOUR life is like.
You’ll get your muscles surgically altered as a toddler (and become some sort of freaky superhero!). And you can whine and moan and bitch about how awful your life is and you’ll get all the attention for being such a special snowflake. You’ll fall on your face and everyone will rush to your aid like a knight in shining armor (or just step on you like floor pizza). People will wipe away a tear proclaiming how inspirational and courageous you are when you’re just trying to buy your food like everyone else. You might even get money, just for being your very special self and out of the goodness of the hearts of people who are so much more fortunate than you are.
But you have to be careful not to overdose on CP in a Jar. Of course, you wouldn’t want to become one of those people. Those people who have all those absurd needs. Those people who are always taking away from the normal people, greedy gophers that they are. They think they’re so entitled. Why are we giving them all those special programs and benefits? It’s not like they’re ever going to get a real job. Maybe work at McDonalds, if they’re lucky. God forbid, you ever became one of those drooling, gibbering idiots! And what if you were *whisper* retarded?? That would be so awful. The poor things, they must be so sad. No, you wouldn’t want to be one of them. But just a little bit, just a pinch of CP in a Jar, that would be nice.
*side effects may include intense muscle spasms, chronic pain, people assuming you’re drunk, and the feeling that you’re generally a broken, worthless human being, among others
So I won't call you "inspirational and courageous." I would however, call you very clever and a wonderful writer. You shared beautifully and made be laugh at the same time.
ReplyDeleteThe special snowflake like made me laugh out loud. Good stuff!
ReplyDeletePlease stop by http://rileys-smile.blogspot.com/2011/08/versatile-blogger-award-for-rileys.html. I would be honored to share The Versatile Blogger Award with you. Thank you for all you share. Stacie
ReplyDeleteBoy, do I know the feeling of doctors and PTs knowing nothing about CP! Most doctors are nice and truly want to help so I give them credit for that but they can never feel what I feel. Just like I can never feel what they feel.
ReplyDeleteReminds me of how I get approval for services at university. I need a doctor's note, but my doctor doesn't know what I need, so I basically tell her what I need and she writes it down. So why is it that I can't just tell the university myself and not go through the bother of a doctor's visit?
ReplyDeleteI. Love. This.
ReplyDeleteWow! So. Good.
ReplyDeleteI would love to share this but only with your permission of course.
Mo - of course you can share it! So glad you like my blog.
ReplyDeleteCan I share I would make one change for uk you have to have the money to buy one cuz nhs say you have to use it all the time in your home to be entitled
ReplyDelete