The 25th of March is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day. And the month of March is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month in the United States.
It hasn’t been easy to say that I have cerebral palsy. As it was so present in the years that I grew up, it almost became the whole story of who I was. But I’ve come around and accepted the fact that CP is a part of my life. Yet, it’s only one part of the larger story that’s still being written to this very day.
I’m more than the challenges present, and the same goes for everyone in the community in their own ways.
I’ve written something in honor of the day:
National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day
On the 25th of March
An underserved community’s turn in the spotlight
I’ve had my fair share of challenges
From my eyes, my speech to my feet
But I’ve risen above all of it
To be me, a writer and traveler
CP used to be the entire story
Defined by all the limitations
Now it’s just part of the plot
Of a larger story that’s still being told
On this day and every day
A reminder to everyone…
People with Cerebral Palsy
Live lives of joy and wonder
Unbowed by the impossible
Even if things take more time to do
After all, we bring our full selves to the forefron
CP used to be the entire story
Defined by all the limitations
Now it’s just part of the plot
Of a larger story that’s still being told
Oswald this is a beautiful line and piece. CP does not define your whole identity! There is so much more to you! you are wonderful. Thank you for sharing and thank you for being part of our family. <3 Lau…read more
Kristen, you express yourself so well! This is a super powerful piece. I can really feel the emotion! I am going to showcase this piece in our newsletter today <3 Lauren
Kirsten, Your words paint a vivid picture of a time-traveling journey filled with longing and uncertainty. It’s fascinating to imagine the possibilities and the impact of your travels. I hope that in your quest for understanding and change, you find the answers you seek and discover a world that feels new and full of promise. Remember, even in…read more
Thank you Kayjah! I couldn’t agree more, that there is always the potential for connection and understanding. Very eloquently put! I have often wondered what it would be like to either time travel myself, or have a friend who time travels. I can only imagine the adventures I/they would go on!
Why do I cling to love?
A love that was never mine.
Why would I dream of a future?
A future that ain’t for me to picture.
Why would I create a fantasy?
A fantasy that was never born.
It leaves my heart aching
for something intangible.
Why do I cling to love,
a love that was never mine?
Time and distance can have an effect on the mind yet be completely irrelevant to the heart. The heart knows what it knows
and loves what it loves
like it has a mind of its very own.
It takes bravery to break old habits.
It takes courage to sit with your own mistakes. Growth is uncomfortable.
Why do I cling to love,
a love that was never mine?
Maybe it’s time to break the hold
on a love that was never meant
to unfold 💔
The heart knows what it knows
and loves what it loves
like it has a mind of its very own
That is so true! But its so not worth loving something that doesn’t love you back. Thank you for sharing and thank you for being part of The Unsealed family. <3 Lauren
We walk through our lifetime,
On planet Earth
To walk
To run
For fun
Of rebirth
Of bonds of friends that intertwine
With our everyday smiles and laughter
Of new friendships formed as we capture
Photographs of play and nature and all things
Friends share experiences of human beings,
Of life and living each day
Along the way.
Hear every word that I say.
What happens when tears and heartache appear
Among the two friends of a New Year,
As the two friends were young and free
As they grow up to be
Other people as careers?
Who will win?
The two friends took different life paths.
One girl goes to college to satisfy her thirsty curiosity to expand her mind.
As she steps into the classroom of professors to combine
Knowledge and critical thinking skills.
In the progressive way
Of slipping into the 21st century time
Of creating a stream of consciousness of rhythm and rhyme.
The other girl
Chose another path,
To travel
Of motorcycles and army and other avenues
Of life, laughter, destruction of venues
Of sporadic adventures as the girl walks into
The wild blue
Of what she chooses to do
The two friends lose touch,
But still think about each other so much,
Not realizing when they meet up as adults,
They no longer have anything in common,
As the roads they chose were different as night and day
No reason,
No rhyme,
Just in time
They go their separate ways again,
In time they each count the actual number of true friends
On their one hand of five fingers of expression of when
They each discover people come into our lives,
To stay or teach a lesson,
And that one friend was there to care,
At a certain point in time to bear
A burden of friendship then flies away.
So, I have learned that some friends go away,
Because they were there for that time in our lives
Then to walk a different life path of hope, despair, or strife
And to remember it is okay.
Bless the time
And move forward with rhythm, rhyme, and song of space and time,
To live.
We accept the adventures of different roads taken,
Of yesterday and today
As we awaken
To a new dawn
A sun
A star
A moon,
To you my long-ago friend of my childhood
No worries,
Take care,
Live,
Laugh,
Care,
Despair,
Hope,
And love and peace to you
In the matrix of time and theater of life
I choose life and creative endeavors of strife,
Turned into light energy,
Of the Earth
The stars, the moon
I will not see you soon,
As we can no longer communicate
About politics or life
As we are 180 degrees away from
Compromise or love.
You are my past friend.
And in the end
I am okay.
You are okay.
We were meant for only childhood play.
Sincerely,
Vicki Lawana Trusselli
There was a time in my life I never thought I would make it but my heart is so pure, so true it just can’t be broken. You told me Ii was nothing that I’d never make it. But all along you were the one who was faking even though my poor heart was breaking. If you only knew It was yours for the taking. So many years I longed for a place I belonged, who would have thought I was wrong from the start. It started with just one little kiss but how did we end up like this? I wish we could go back to when we were kids. That is the time I have missed. Life was so easy like one two threesy. People were happy even when you got skinned knees. We played in woods, we built forts, made shadow puppets on the wall and back then we thought we knew it all. Who knew the good times we had would fall so hard. Find your heart broken to shards. There was a time when I was young, when life had only just begun, but the older that you get and time keeps on ticking by. Life hands you the gun. Will you run or pull the trigger? Be put down or stand tall and rise up bigger. This is your life at least that’s what you figure. So you keep on searching and hoping to your fragile heart from aching. Even when you feel the earth is shaking. Please don’t fool me when I am jaded. The world is so full of anger and hatred. So take my heart and please don’t break it. Why can’t we go back to the time when life was so simple. All it takes is one small ripple. Like the ocean and the tide I see much clearer now with open eyes. I won’t ever hide the person hidden deep inside. For my heart is pure I will always shine!
Jennifer, your words resonate deeply with me. There are times when life feels overwhelming, but it’s our pure and true hearts that keep us going. Don’t let anyone’s negativity break you. Remember the joy of your childhood, and hold onto that. Remember your strength and shine brightly. Keep searching, hoping, and standing tall. You deserve…read more
Climb aboard this sinking ship.
Come sail across the deep blue sea.
Help to find what was left behind.
The treasure hidden inside my chest.
Locked away from my duress.
Could you be the one who holds the key.
To set my soul and spirit free.
Guided by the dim lit moon.
The waves sing a lovely tune.
The stars shine oh so bright.
Gliding across the sea at night.
The tides have turned.
Its home I yearn.
The time has come to reach within.
I fall upon my weakened knees.
As you slowly turn the key.
A solemn tear runs down my cheek.
For you have found what was left behind. The way to free my soul, spirit and mind
As I whisper in the dark “free at last.”
Wow! Jenn! This is amazing! Your spirit is so strong. Thank you for sharing. I will be including this piece in our newsletter today! keep a look out for it! <3 Lauren
In the darkness of doubt and despair,
I carried the weight of judgment unfair.
Bipolar, depression, schizophrenia’s shadow,
Teachers’ words piercing like a sharp arrow.
“You’ll never be anything, just a lost cause.”
Echoes of doubt, reinforcing flaws.
But deep within, a flame flickered bright,
A spirit unbroken, ready for the fight.
Through the storms of mental strife,
I embraced the challenges of life.
Rising above the cruel words spoken,
I refused to let my spirit be broken.
Amidst the chaos, I found my way,
Striving for a brighter day.
First in my family to reach that height,
A beacon of hope, shining so bright.
I walked the path less traveled by,
Defying odds reaching for the sky.
People’s eyes now filled with surprise,
Seeing the truth behind their lies.
I confess the pain that once held me down,
The weight of expectations, a heavy crown.
But in spite of it all, I stand tall and strong,
A testament to resilience all along.
So here I am, a survivor, a warrior true,
Proving wrong every naysayer’s view.
I am not defined by my past’s dark spree,
I am here, I am free, I am me.
Lakisha, This is an awesome piece. You Should use this piece for our contest that is due today. I love it. You are a warrior. Thank you for sharing. <3 Lauren
I wanted to show a measure of gratitude to the women in my life, from my mom, sister and all of my female friends and acquaintances. Today, tomorrow and all of the days that follow.
It’s with that idea in mind, that the following poem comes from…
On International Women’s Day
A shout out to all the women
From all walks, ages of life
And all corners of the globe
Showing backbone that keeps the world together
Through shows of tenacity, strength, kindness and love
I ought to know this for sure
For their courage and ambition
Coming to the forefront time and again
I look up to the women in my life
My mother, my sister and oh so many more
As their encouragement makes me who I am
We celebrate them and admire them
Every day of the year, not just today
Aww Oswald, thank you for this. You have such a beautiful heart and I love how you celebrate others, including women. Thank you for sharing and thank you for being part of The Unsealed family. <3 Lauren
brown
that was the first color i ever saw
it was your face
the one that belonged to the universe that carried me
and gave me a home
i didn’t know what brown was
but i knew it was safe
brown
it was on your face
your arms
your fingers
it kept me warm
i loved brown
brown taught me i was smart
a part of a tribe
a sea of brown that knew how to have a good time
if joy and laughter and love and beauty were a color
they would be thousands of shades of brown
your brown face taught me i was beautifully and wonderfully and fearfully made
from the top of my brown head
to the bottom of my brown toes
from my brown back to my brown nose
brown
the color of perfection
because you are brown
and when you walk into a room
everybody looks
because ain’t nobody seen brown so beautiful
calm
cool
collected
sweet as brown sugar
smooth as hot chocolate
rich and real like earth and soil
standing tall
regal
royal
but my favorite kind of brown
is the brown on your hands
no treasure
no jewel
no wealthy lands
can compare to the richness of your
brown hands
because they are priceless to me
they carried me
fed me
held me
healed me
they weathered storms and troubles seas
they held on even when they
wanted to let go
they still believed even when
they didn’t know
as i grew up
your hands held my hands
and your hands held my world
and though time has passed
and i don’t need you to hold my hand when
i cross the street anymore
i still love your hands for all they still do
i love your brown
i love you
I watched the sunrise
I watched it grow
over earth and sky and sea
I watched the moon as it slowly dimmed
fading graciously
I watched the stars in awe look down
their faces full of wonder
the earth stood still
in reverence
no wind
no rain
no thunder
I watched it
brighter
brighter still
impressing birds and trees
warming everything it touched
caressing lakes and leaves
I watched it blind courageous ones
who dared to stop and stare
it even blessed the ignorant
the ones who didn’t care
I watched the sun
it shone so bright
out there for all to see
and what an overwhelming
and thrilling thought
to realize
the sunrise
it…
was me
I am writing to remind you that the way you love yourself—is also the way you allow others to love you as well. I am writing to remind you that loving yourself means more than simply loving the parts that you are most proud of.
It is peeling back the perceptions, misconceptions, and projections. It is loving past, present and future you; all the varied iterations beloved anew. It is gazing longingly within. It is lifting the veil—accepting and releasing all you’ve been: the monsters and angels both.
It is forgiveness for not always being the very best version of yourself, allowing even you to make mistakes. It is making peace with yourself so you can be at peace with other people. It is pure inner G/energy.
It is preemptively setting the stage each day—via your preferred method of attaining your most aware state—so that your focus is maintained on fun and play—simply because you deserve to feel good. Allowing each day to be dimpled with love and laughter as each could.
It is being capable of keeping commitments to yourself. Where self compassion and self actualization meet, love is an endless well. The more that you pour into yourself, the more you become a living self love spell. Such great love can only expand to reach everyone else.
I am writing to remember that the way I love myself is also the way I allow others to love me as well. I am writing to remember that loving myself means more than simply loving the parts that I am most proud of.
Dear Dominique,
What positive, encouraging words you have written. I love the message to love all of yourself not just the parts you are most proyd of. I hope you continue your journey of positivity.
I am most beautiful
When I am myself
In the most
Raw and vulnerable form
After I’ve danced
And my hair sticks
To my sweaty forehead
After I’ve laughed so hard
My smile can’t help but linger
Once I am done crying
Alone on my dirty floors
And I look into the mirror
Staring into my puffy eyes
I think,
I love her
She dances
She laughs
She feels feelings so loudly
And she loves even louder
She is most beautiful
In these moments
Dear Carolyn,
Your words remind me to love myself fully even when I am at my worst. We all have moments of vulnerability. You remind me to remain confident and proud!
Black is the new poetry my dear
Authored by our ancestors so I could have a voice that is heard beyond the volume of fear
The ink has always been dark so see with your ears
Black is the new love, now let your heart hear
The strength born from blood, sweat, and tears
That grew into a sunrise of a smile, my dear
My darling I keep your Melanin near
And your beauty adds depth to my mirror
The reflection tells me weapons are forming but they will stay in the rear
Because,
My black is the sunset to my depressed anxiety to steer
A blooming future in the right direction never to veer
Toward negativity, my dear
My black is the armor that never cracked, from the roots of scars and ignored facts
My black has always got my back so even if my eyes close you will still see this color, add a period to that!
My black is a promise painted like a rainbow you’ll never grey wash my faith, peace never cracks
p.s. my black has wings that sang…
Hello to the day, beautifully curated with sunlight, greenery and birds cheering us on.
Today I’ll take you on, with grace, and effort better than the last.
I pray to the heavens where my father resides, and he sends down a shower of blessings.
I greet those that I love far and near, some with hugs, others with yellow hearts and kind words.
Using my mind and body to get things done, although it’s not a joy, at least I have the ability.
Spending time on my hobbies, creativity flows effortlessly through my veins.
Carving out the time for each goal on my list because procrastination and I are on the verge of a breakup.
By the time the moon clocks in, and the stars provide company, I’ll eagerly find relaxation.
Aimless scrolling as I wind down, and brown noise until I’m asleep.
I could complain about how imperfect everyday is but I’ll take a rain check.
Right now, I’m just grateful to be here.
Step side to side
Sway to our song
Your heart is the lyrics
My soul the instrumental
Hold my hand the way Jesus held the nails
Step side to side
Nerves waltz to love
No music is needed
When sacrifice becomes a verb
Watching movies with the sound off
I’ll hold you like the space between us is trying to escape
Crowded ball room that only sees us two
Empty minds have the fullest hearts
And the cup of my rhythmic soul runneth over
p.s. don’t forget to kiss me under the waterfall chandeliers…