This story is from my life. It’s all true, and I hope my readers will gain a sense of what it’s like to live with any type of cerebral palsy, whether acquired before birth or after. What people with CP go through on a daily basis is sometimes extremely unpleasant, painful, and degrading. To thrive, we put expansive energy into living our lives to the best of our ability.

Here I am near the end of my stint in the sheltered workshop and ready to move on in life.

In this story, I will give you a sense of who I am, and I will share a personal struggle and how I remained positive through it. I was unwavering in my goals and beliefs. Had I not been, I would have spent the rest of my life labeled retarded and working on an assembly line in a sheltered workshop.

Straight after high school graduation, in the spring of 1969, I had my first run-in with the California Department of Rehabilitation. Based on an IQ test that did not consider learning disabilities, they claimed I was mentally retarded. Then, they denied me the right to work a regular job or go to college like other people. Instead, they sent me off to a workshop for people with intellectual disabilities.

I will never forget the evil grin on the psychologist’s face as he consigned me to the workshop. He chortled as if he were sending me to prison.

I staggered out of his office, asking myself, “How could they do this to me?”

Determined that this would not happen again, I became infuriated. I was like a hot ember, ready to start a fire.

But at that moment, I reasoned with myself, “How could they say I’m retarded when I’m not? I have a learning disability, and that is different. There must have been a mistake.”

The next day, I phoned and asked to see my test results and speak with the professional who had tested me. Request denied. They had made up their minds. So, from memory, I reviewed the whole situation and concluded that the so-called experts did not know the difference between learning disabilities and mental retardation. As a child, I had fought hard for my right to an education, and now the same thing was happening again. But I would not let it.

Over the next months, I considered my situation as, with my strong right hand, I folded cardboard boxes hour after hour at my job in the sheltered workshop.

I wasn’t going to spend the rest of my life there, doing that. I began transforming and evolving. I changed, committing myself to adjusting and amending my attitude and ways for the better. Discovering at eighteen what I wanted to do with my life. I thought a lot about this. The more I thought, the more I knew what I could and couldn’t do as a person with CP.

I dreamed and envisioned something much better for myself as an adaptive aerobics and dance teacher for the disabled. This was a process of discovering who I was and what I wanted to become. I knew I had to be true to myself, my disabilities, and the values I was brought up with. And I knew the skills I had from a lifetime of studying dance and fitness.

Given that, I fearlessly took action. I grew into the person and voice I am today. I expressed my views. I spoke up to give my perspective. Often, I spoke out in circumstances full of injustice. I showed the world my strong posture, smiling repose, and optimistic outlook. With these, I conquered the seemingly unconquerable.

Unlike all other disabilities, cerebral palsy is different in that we are looked down upon. Depending on the type of CP one has, people judge us when we walk or wheel down the street, present ourselves in public, go on an interview, go shopping, eat, or even speak. Whatever we are doing, we are scrutinized. We are examined and inspected. Those of us with spastic CP are often accused of being drunk because of our walk and lack of coordination.

I did everything in my power, and mindfully. That’s why I walked into the furious fire of dealing with the State of California. I refused to be mocked in that way. My reasoning was sound, and my faith in a just world was in my own hands. I wasn’t going to settle for anything less.

I revisited my logic, and what I had endured many times. Despite the initial examination, I had to go through this battery of tests again in my mid-twenties and then in my mid-thirties. Humiliating as they were, I did what I had to do to remain steady. I stood tall and grew stronger. I demonstrated I could face adversity and remain positive despite my ongoing challenges. I was firm in my resolve. Throughout it all, I was unshakeable. Yet I needed to find peace to heal. This was before I found Science of Mind, so I turned to music, to songs. At the time, my favorites were “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” “The Impossible Dream” from Man of La Mancha, and “People” by Barbra Streisand.

The truth of having cerebral palsy takes a special daring, courage, and bravery. Whatever kind you have takes courage that cannot be disturbed, weakened, or changed. It takes a willingness and demeanor to carry out every action in tranquil calm. A stillness to listen to oneself and to have an open mind, hearing other people’s perspectives. So we can grow, live out our lives in a way we desire, and in a kind and just way.

If you are asking yourself how I was able to do this and why? It was sheer determination. I didn’t want to spend my life being labeled, locked up in an institution, or depending on others to do for me what I couldn’t do for myself. Or watching Popeye the Sailor Man all day long in a facility, from a couch that is about to fall apart, walls decorated with clients’ pictures, and a television set that was out of date sixty years ago. I moved heaven and earth to become the person I am today. I allowed the fluidity of light and love in myself toward others to enlighten my path spiritually and intellectually.

I believe that anything is possible no matter what type of CP we have. As long as we want it. With all the technology we have today, you can make it possible. It’s not like it was seven decades ago. To quote what was a saying as I grew up, “The world is your oyster.”

If you achieve, you can achieve anything you desire. There is a world of possibilities out there if you want them badly enough. Dive deep, allowing yourself to dream your sweetest imaginings.

Have you ever experienced something like this? Would you care to share your story with me, or even with my readers? Let me know through the comments section. If you want to keep it confidential, you have my word that your words will not go beyond me.

Remember, if I can do it, you can do it too. And I will be here at your side all the way.

Text and image ©2026 Karen Lynn-Chlup. All rights reserved.