Cerebral Palsy is a group of disorders which affect coordination, movement and muscles in the human body. Cerebral Palsy occurs as the brain is developing. This can happen before, during or after birth.
10 years into my life, I was introduced to Nick in my Bible study class. Nick walked with crutches to support him and wore braces around his ankles.
Nick's appearance was something new to me, and his disability was not something which I was familiar with, yet.
Roughly nine years have passed since then.
Nick is now the kid who agrees to join me on my trips to the mall and listens to me ramble on for hours about some band or something that my brother said the other day while we sit in a coffee shop.
We're tagging each other in dog memes on a daily basis, and I'm continuously complaining to him about the grass clippings, which he left behind in my newly vacuumed car.
His excuse is that he can't feel his legs when he messes up the rug.
Unlike my first impression of him, Nick's Cerebral Palsy is something which I often forget about. After seeing him so frequently and arguing with him over the most sibling-like things for years now, it rarely occurs to me that the majority of people do not have such a close friend who not only has a physical disability, but also a friend who embraces their differences from everyone around them.
Nick is certainly not heavy-hearted when it comes to his cerebral palsy. He has jokingly called himself a 'cripple' for longer than I can remember. I always find myself hesitating before cracking jokes about his legs, but then I remind myself that this is the same kid who blocked the basketball hoop in our sophomore gym class with his crutches in an x-formation above his head.
This is the kid who uses his crutches not only for physical support but to make light of the world around him.
Everyone who is unfamiliar with Nick has a different reaction upon meeting him, but all of these reactions have been nothing short of kind. Many tend to feel confused as soon as they jump to the topic of Nick's disability because they are afraid that their input or questions may bother him.
He is always quick to assure them that it is never an issue to him.
Strangers are quick to prop doors open for him, and audiences are willing to create room for him to stand by the stage during concerts. Living in a world of people who are understanding of his situation tends to influence his outpouring of positive energy.
I've learned so much from having a best friend who has a clear physical difference from most of the world. Nick's outlook on his Cerebral Palsy has been beneficial to me because it has shown me the truest example of loving yourself for your differences rather than loving yourself despite your differences.
