According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 10,000 babies per year in the U.S. will develop cerebral palsy. Even at Oakton, several students struggle with cerebral palsy. Senior Lauren Hyer undertakes this challenge on a daily basis, receiving support from her twin sister, Leanne Hyer.
“What most people need to know,” Leanne explained, “is that most cases of cerebral palsy don’t come with cognitive problems. It is pretty much just physical difficulty with the muscles in your body. It’s either your whole body, the left side of your body or the right side of your body. For Lauren, it’s her left side.”
In comparison with others diagnosed with cerebral palsy, Lauren’s been lucky concerning the severity of her condition.
“There are all different levels of cerebral palsy. Lauren’s is pretty mild—she probably has one of the mildest cases of cerebral palsy there is. There are some kids, however, whose bodies are completely crippled,” Leanne said.
Having been diagnosed only a few months after she was born, Lauren has grown more comfortable with and more open about her disability as the years have progressed.
“[People] still ask me ‘What’s wrong with your hand?’ So I tell them,” Lauren said. “[Although] it does kind of get me irked or frustrated when my condition is brought up, I still tell them the story. I’m not afraid to tell it.”
However, Leanne and Lauren’s disappointments over people’s interactions with those affected could not completely be subdued.
“It used to be hard for Lauren to put her shoes on,” Leanne said. “People don’t really think about doing things with one hand. Once you spend a whole day with one hand behind your back, [you will know] what it’s like. It’s pretty hard. People should be more educated about it instead of staring at someone or making fun of [them]. Just try to understand them. It would be better for everyone.”
Despite minor annoyances, Lauren doesn’t let her vigor be challenged by her condition. Whether she’s doing homework or swimming for the Special Olympics with Leanne as her coach, Lauren keeps her aggravations hidden.
“If Lauren struggles with anything, she doesn’t really show it,” Leanne remarked. “She just kind of keeps on going. [Especially] in swimming, when it’s really hard for her, she just keeps swimming and doing anything that she can. She doesn’t let any of her obstacles get in the way.”
Although Lauren has to work harder to overcome physical hindrances in her everyday life, she’s never had to worry about her condition negatively affecting her relationship with her family.
“Lauren’s definitely had a positive impact on our lives,” said Leanne. “People think that [her diagnosis] hurts or puts a strain on our family, but it doesn’t. Lauren is really the sweet one of the family. She’s a very positive person.”
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