Disability and What I Can do About It.

I have CP, or cerebral palsy. Or more specifically, a genetic mutation called Spinocerebellar Ataxia.

Spinocerebellar Ataxia, as defined by Google is  is one of a group of genetic disorders characterized by slowly progressive in-coordination of gait and often associated with poor coordination of hands, speech, and eye movements. Frequently, atrophy of the cerebellum occurs.

Living with it can be very hard. I cry a lot when I fall. But I've learned to accept it. 

I wish there was a cure for my condition. Sadly, there is not. But I try to get stronger. I do physical therapy whenever I can. Still it's hard to deal with.

Although it's hard for me to deal with, I try not to think about it too much. I love theatre, and I am passionate about making theatre accessible for everyone, especially people with disabilities. Although my condition limits me in many ways, I think it's good for the audience members to see a person with a disability up on the stage. That’s why I keep auditioning for stuff.

But as much as love theatre, I like telling my story through the means of visual communication, whether that means in terms of graphic design, photography, digital illustration, etc. So I try to find a balance. A balance between theatre and visual communication. And this summer I did just that. 

This summer I was a a marketing intern for Weston Drama Workshop, a local community theater in Weston that puts on professional shows in the area. I think that has been really rewarding for me, because It connects my interest for visual communication, graphic design and photography, with my interest in theater. I designed posers and flyers to put on social media. I made a promotional video, and I really got some experience of what it’s like to work in the field of marketing and digital communication.