Cerebral Palsy patient dictates autobiography – Community journal

Posted: Published on May 12th, 2017

This post was added by Dr Simmons

Paula Hardy is wheelchair-bound because of Cerebral Palsy, but has beat all her doctors expectations by living and learning, with help, to her early 60s.

While she couldnt use a typewriter or computer to write her life story herself, she spent two years dictating her story to a small group of friends. Paulas Story is now in print and a best seller of sorts among the residents and staff at Hilltop Village, and her friends.

Hardy was the center of attention recently at an in-house book sale and signing party, greeting friends and, after some advance practice, hand-writing her own signature in each book.

One reason I wrote the book was, I wanted to honor my parents who were an integral part of my life. They wanted me to be as self-reliant and independent as possible, Hardy said.

And the second reason was, I wanted people to better understand about Cerebral Palsy. People misunderstand and think we dont have it up here, she said, pointing to her head, and we do. But it took me two years.

She wrote about her parents in the dedication, They inspired me to maintain a positive attitude which enabled me to be encouraging and an inspiration to others. I wanted people to understand that people who have Cerebral Palsy are not mentally retarded and can do anything once they set their minds to it!

Ive had calls from friends saying theyre proud of me for my accomplishment; and positive feedback from everybody. Some of them said, I never knew these things about you, she said.

She said when the book was done and the signing party planned, Sherri (Curry) offered to get me a stamp thing to put my name in them, but I thought that was too impersonal. So I signed them myself.

On the last page of the 41-page autobiography, Paula thanks all who helped me get this book written, including Chris Thompson, Sherri Curry, Michele Segura, Martha Wolcheski and Willie McDaniel.

This story is a labor of love for the many people who contributed their time and energy to bring my story to print. I so much appreciate each and every one of you, and the time you have spent encouraging and bringing this two-year project to fruition, Paula wrote.

Cerebral Palsy is a neurological disorder caused by a non-progressive brain injury or malformation that occurs while the childs brain is under development. It primarily affects body movement, muscle control, muscle tone, reflex, posture and balance.

Her story

Hardy was born in July 1956 in Phoenix, Ariz., and was three months premature, weighing only 1 pound 8 ounces. She was hospitalized for about six months until she weighed enough to be discharged to her parents care.

When she didnt begin to crawl or walk on the usual schedule, her grandfather advised her parents to seek medical explanations, and the diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy followed.

Hardy wrote in her book that her father wanted to immediately institutionalize her, while her mother believed she could grow and advance. Her parents divorced when Paula was very young and her mother got sole custody.

Her mother Marilyn Sue Austgen remarried in 1963 to William D. Hardy, and Paula had an older stepsister.

Paula wrote that in 1968, the family took a vacation to Disneyland in California, and she rode all the rides that were handicapped accessible at the time.

William Hardy was from Beaumont, and Paula said the family traveled, but it was hard on her parents when not many places were wheelchair-accessible. But they always drove from Scottsdale to Kerrville for her Aunt Ruths family reunions, in a station wagon with a pop-up trailer until hotel rooms were more convenient.

She was adopted by her stepfather in 1969.

She said she had a variety of surgeries from ages two and three, and up; and once spent 12 weeks in a full body cast when they hoped that surgery would allow her to walk.

You do what you have to do, Paula wrote.

But at age 14-15, even the Shriners Hospital doctors said they couldnt fix her enough to walk.

She called her mother remarkable and said she always wanted Paula to experience things and not be stuck on the hospital all the time.

Schooling

When Paula started school, she was in special education classes for grades first through eighth.

They put me in regular classes in high school. My hardest subjects were math and science, she said, but wrote in the book her teachers were compassionate and understanding. She tape-recorded notes in classes in lieu of writing.

When written papers were assigned, she dictated them to her mother to type. Her mother was a medical transcriber and secretary.

Paula graduated in 1976; and attended one semester at Scottsdale Community College.

Move to Texas

The family moved to Ingram in 1988; and Paula continued to live in that home with caregivers help even after her adopted father died in 1997; and for a short time after her mother passed away in 2007.

But her mother died after a short battle against cancer, without completing a plan for Paulas future. And friends stepped in to hold powers of attorney.

They put the house up for sale and Paula moved to one local care center for a few months and then to Hilltop Village where she lives now. She was 51 years old, and navigating in a power scooter with such enthusiasm that staff and other residents now call her a speed demon and say she might get a ticket.

Along the way, she met a fellow resident at the first home, a guy named Auggie who also has cerebral palsy but can walk on his own.

Paula writes that first they were friends; then boyfriend and girlfriend. They have lunch together about once a week; and sometimes go to movies. Shes very experienced now at using the ART bus to get places.

At Hilltop Village, there are more activities and I have more friendships, Paula said.

She wrote in her book that shes learned to use a Kindle to read books; has been introduced to wheelchair yoga; and through Peterson Pathways, found her volunteer mentors.

She said at Hilltop they have regular arts and crafts days; and a hair stylist. Shes also learned Wii bowling; loves greeting new residents and playing Bingo; and has a sort of addiction to DVD movies she can watch in her room.

But she also described the personal necessary help because of her cerebral palsy, when each day starts with a staff aide helping her getting dressed, then a lift sling moves her from bed to wheelchair.

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Cerebral Palsy patient dictates autobiography - Community journal

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