How I Became a Cerebral Palsy Warrior

Hello and welcome to my blog!

I'm Kat Wells , a 44-year-old woman with a youthful spirit, a warm smile, and an unstoppable drive to live life on my own terms. Today, I want to take you deeper into my story , how I became a Cerebral Palsy Warrior.

Growing Up with Cerebral Palsy

From the very beginning, life handed me a unique set of challenges. Cerebral palsy affects my ability to move and speak easily. Simple things that many people take for granted , walking, talking, expressing yourself , require creativity, patience, and determination for me.

I move through the world with the help of my electric wheelchair, and I communicate using my iPad or, when technology isn't available, through hand signals and other nonverbal ways. While the world sometimes sees these differences first, I have always known that my spirit, energy, and dreams are much bigger than any obstacles.

As a child, I quickly learned that the world wasn't always designed for people like me. Playgrounds had steps instead of ramps. Classrooms had desks that didn't accommodate wheelchairs. People often spoke louder when they realized I used alternative communication, assuming I couldn't hear rather than understanding that I simply expressed myself differently.

But here's what I discovered early on: every challenge was also an opportunity to get creative, to problem-solve, and to show others that there are many ways to navigate this world successfully.

The Teen Years: Finding My Voice

My teenage years were pivotal in shaping who I would become. This is when I really started to understand that I had two choices: I could let cerebral palsy define my limits, or I could define my own possibilities.

I remember sitting in my room one evening, frustrated after a particularly difficult day at school. A teacher had suggested I might be "more comfortable" in a different class , code for "this might be too hard for you." That night, I made a decision that would change everything.

I decided that no one else would get to decide what I was capable of.

From that moment forward, I became my own advocate. When people underestimated me, I proved them wrong. When barriers appeared, I found ways around them. When technology failed me, I got resourceful with communication. I wasn't going to let anyone else's limited vision become my reality.

Refusing to Be Defined by a Diagnosis

From my late teens onward, one thing became crystal clear: I would not be limited by anyone else's expectations.

I wanted to live independently, make my own choices, and follow my own path. I wasn't going to let cerebral palsy tell me where I could go, what I could do, or who I could become.

Life wasn't always easy. There were moments of frustration, setbacks, and times when the world felt inaccessible. Doctor appointments that felt more like limitations than possibilities. Social situations where I felt like an outsider. Daily tasks that took three times longer than they should have.

But through every challenge, I grew stronger, wiser, and even more determined to live boldly. I learned that independence doesn't mean doing everything alone , it means making your own choices about how to get things done. It means asking for help when you need it and standing firm when you don't.

I moved into my own place. I made my own decisions about my care, my goals, and my future. I surrounded myself with people who saw my abilities first and my disability second. Most importantly, I never stopped dreaming big.

Becoming a Cerebral Palsy Warrior

So what exactly is a Cerebral Palsy Warrior? Let me tell you what it means to me.

A Cerebral Palsy Warrior is someone who chooses strength over limitation, hope over doubt, and action over fear.

I became a warrior the day I decided that my life would be defined by my dreams , not my diagnosis. Every time I faced a challenge, whether it was physical, emotional, or societal, I chose to rise above it.

Every day that I roll forward with determination, every time I communicate despite obstacles, every moment I live with joy and purpose , I am fighting. And through those small daily victories, I became a warrior.

Being a warrior means celebrating the wins that others might not even notice. It's celebrating the day I figured out a new way to reach something on a high shelf. It's celebrating successful communication with someone who doesn't know sign language. It's celebrating the moments when I advocate for myself and actually get heard.

What Being a Warrior Means to Me

Being a warrior doesn't mean life is perfect. Trust me, I still have days where everything feels harder than it should be. I still encounter ignorance, inaccessibility, and people who make assumptions about what I can and can't do.

But being a warrior means I show up, every day, ready to fight for my dreams. It means living with courage, creativity, and independence , even when the road isn't easy.

It means seeing my wheelchair not as a limitation, but as my freedom machine. It means viewing my iPad not as a crutch, but as my voice amplifier. It means understanding that my journey might look different from others, but it's no less valuable.

Most importantly, it means living life on my own terms, with pride in who I am and excitement for what's ahead.

Being a warrior also means recognizing that I'm part of a larger community. Every time I live my life boldly, I'm showing other people with disabilities that it's possible. Every time I refuse to accept "no" when I know something is possible, I'm fighting not just for myself, but for everyone who comes after me.

The Daily Battle

People often ask me what the hardest part of having cerebral palsy is. Honestly, it's not the physical challenges , I've learned to work with and around those. The hardest part is fighting the world's expectations and assumptions every single day.

It's the person who speaks to my caregiver instead of me. It's the building without accessible entrances. It's the assumption that because I communicate differently, I must think differently too. These daily microaggressions can wear you down if you let them.

But here's what I've learned: every time I respond with grace, education, and confidence, I'm not just advocating for myself , I'm changing minds. Every interaction is an opportunity to show someone that their preconceptions about disability are wrong.

Some days I'm tired of being an educator. Some days I just want to exist without having to prove my worth or capability. And that's okay too. Being a warrior doesn't mean being "on" all the time.

Living on My Own Terms

Today, at 44, I can honestly say I'm living life exactly as I want to. I make my own decisions, pursue my own interests, and surround myself with people who value me for who I am.

I've learned that accommodation isn't limitation , it's liberation. My electric wheelchair gives me mobility. My communication device gives me a voice. The people who support me give me independence, not dependence.

I've also learned that my perspective, shaped by navigating the world with cerebral palsy, is valuable. I see solutions that others miss. I understand resilience in ways that can't be taught from a textbook. I know the importance of inclusion because I've experienced exclusion.

Final Thoughts

Cerebral palsy is a part of my life , but it does not control my life. It's shaped my journey, given me unique insights, and yes, created challenges. But it's also given me incredible strength, creativity, and perspective that I wouldn't trade for anything.

I am proud of who I am. I am proud to call myself a Cerebral Palsy Warrior. Every day I choose to live boldly, dream big, and refuse to be limited by anyone else's vision of what my life should look like.

And I hope my journey reminds you that no matter what challenges you face, you have the power to live your life on your own terms too. Whether you're dealing with disability, chronic illness, mental health challenges, or any other obstacle , you get to decide how your story goes.

You get to choose whether your challenges define you or refine you. You get to decide whether you'll be limited by others' expectations or liberated by your own dreams.

Thank you for being here, for reading my story, and for supporting this amazing community we're building. 💚

Stay strong, live boldly, and never forget , you are capable of incredible things.

💬 I'd Love to Hear Your Story Too!

What does being a warrior mean to you? How have you overcome challenges in your own life? What dreams are you fighting for right now?

Feel free to leave a comment below, share your experiences, or simply say hello. Whether you're part of the disability community or fighting your own battles, I want to hear from you. Your story matters, your voice matters, and your dreams matter.

Together, we are stronger. ✨