Hi, my name is Paul and this is my amazing big brother Nicholas. He has Cerebral Palsy and I want to share with you some things about him.

NICHOLAS HAS CEREBRAL PALSY

When you meet my brother Nicholas you will notice some things about him. He can’t stand up by himself, he can’t sit up by himself and he can only say a few words. This is because he has Cerebral Palsy. Don’t be afraid of him, you can’t catch Cerebral Palsy.

Cerebral Palsy happened because his brain was hurt when he was a baby. His muscles are often tight and he can’t make his arms, legs and mouth move like we can.

Let me try to help you understand what it’s like for him.

Stand up on your tippy toes for 15 seconds, feel how your muscles on the back of your legs start to ache? Okay, now keep standing on your tippy toes for 15 more seconds, feel how really tight your muscles feel? That’s what Nicky’s legs feel like all the time.

Now bend your arm at the elbow and make a fist. Keep making a fist for 15 seconds, feel how your upper arm starts to hurt? Now keep making a fist for 15 more seconds, feel how really tight your muscles feel? That’s what Nicky’s arms feel like all the time.

The muscles in his mouth feel like that too and that’s why he has trouble talking. He has a lot to say, but just can’t get the words to come out. He is really smart. He knows all his colors, can do matching and sorting and he knows all about sports. Nicholas takes some medication every day to try and help his muscles relax. He also does a lot of stretching, just like an athlete does before a big game.

There are lots of things I want to tell you about my brother Nicholas. Keep reading along and you will learn all about things like Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and all the great things he can do … with just a little help.

NICHOLAS WEARS BRACES

Some kids wear braces on their teeth, some kids wear braces on their feet. It makes them look a bit different, but each kid needs their braces to help them.

Nicholas has plastic braces for his feet that are bright blue and yellow with cars printed on his straps. His feet fit into the plastic brace and then my mom fastens the Velcro straps to keep his ankles in place.

Nicholas’ ankles have muscles in them that flex and make his toes point – kind of like a ballerina. Try standing up on your tip toes and walk around the room. You might be able to do this for a little while, but it gets tiring. His braces help his ankles stay bent and they keep his foot flat.

When he stands up his braces help him to bear weight on his legs and help him to balance on flat feet. He does a good job and can take a few steps.

Walking might be easy for me, but very hard for him. He struggles to stand and he walks with stiff legs, but he can do it! I am very proud of him and like it when we can smile eye to eye.