Cerebral Palsy Support Group

A college adaptive P.E. teacher once told me that my life would be hard but all that I would be doing was the “mind over matter” trick. I said that I had never thought of it that way. She answered that was why she had told me it saying she could give me a lot of medical jargon about my condition and I probably knew half of it or more by now but that wouldn’t help me. What I needed was something that I could use or work with and what she had told me was it. Mind over matter, what does that really mean? Simply put, the mind controls the body; the mind determines one’s actions. In reverse, the body controls the mind which is not desired. In more general terms when the mind controls the body the person makes up his mind what he is going to do. For the cp this means teaching his body through practice, practice, and more practice to do things that it ordinarily could not do.

This is clearly seen when recognizing that there are several types of cerebral palsy which in some way physically disable the body, the person. When living and dealing with cp one usually mainly concentrates on dealing with the physical disability such as falling down, having difficulty feeding oneself, dressing, speaking, and so on. But before tackling all of these problems there occurs one important step which too often is overlooked which involves thinking how one will solve or minimize these problems. Many with cp have received exercise, therapy, and training to help them reduce their problems; although some individuals cannot greatly accomplish this depending on the severity of their condition and/or the developmental disability suffered.

But this discussion principally concerns those who can acknowledge their problems and try to figure out ways of getting around them. Yes, you get sneaky; all is fair in love and war. This is war, survival, living, and many times this call for sheer willpower. I know a hard one is falling, how not to. Try to remember places and incidents where you are most likely to fall; be more careful there, try to figure better ways to manipulate them. No this is not full proof, nothing is in life, but it may help more often than not. I said be more careful which does not mean worry ahead of time. Worry will make you more prone to fall.

While on the subject of falling we might talk about another thing that others have mentioned. As you get older falls become harder to take. That is true. As a kid I fell, got up, brush myself off, and went on my way. No more. Falls hurt more and it was more troubling to get up with age. At 76 I hardly dare fall as I can’t get up myself unless I luckily land on my knees near something to pull myself up on. That’s why I have a medical alert system. I went in a wheelchair full time over ten years ago as it was safer living alone.

This brings us back to the subject “mind over matter.” This also means planning and thinking ahead. My mother told me that I had to be able to care for myself as she wouldn’t be here forever and she helped me to do just that. I do need a caregiver now to fix meals and so on. But the preparation that enables me to live as independently as I do began years ago. Those who still have parents are fortunate but realize someday that parent won’t be there to help you. Now, not then, is decision time. This decision concerns how you want to live, as independently as you can or in a convalescence home. Some will say such a decision is not possible citing arthritis, bipolar or other conditions. In some cases this is true but when the person can do for him or herself and can improve by doing for him or herself I think the decision can be made. So if you want to make that decision keep moving, exercising, and thinking, most of all thinking as to ways to improve yourself which includes enjoying life.

Post edited by: cakid, at: 03/23/2012 05:04 PM

i do not know about mind of matter i can tell my self i can do it all i want and it still dose not help but alot of what u said cakid was very deep and true right now i have a mother who dose the things for that i can not but she will not be here forever and i do not know what will happen to me when she is not here any more most of my family would more then likely lock me away some where i do alot on my owe but some of my pt and drivein i can not do

i know the feeling liveinglife12 i have had a very small case of arthris in my knees and anikle for a few years do to that is the area that i hurt more when i fall i have blown both of my knees out at different times and spined my anikles more times then i can count never did that when i was young i have fell down so many stairs more times then the law should allow i avoid stair when ever posable

Mind over matter must be learned liked almost everything it doesn’t come naturally. It comes in simple or small steps. For example, there must be something you like doing or do pretty well. This is a good place to begin; Try doing it a little better or a little differently that will make it better. As an example I begun typing with one finger after awhile my finger and wrist were tired which meant I could not type very long at a time. As an idea I tried striking the keys with a pencil, the eraser end and my hand wasn’t as tired, I typed longer, and my speed increased a little but not much. I bet you can think of some things this might work on, maybe not at first but over time.

Yeah, I know what you mean by people wanting to lock you away. My father’s people had that idea. Mom said no. They would have said it was what God wanted for me. They may have had good intentions but I’m doubtful. I just keep hanging in there.

yes almost every one easle but my mom wanted to put me away she said she is my daughter and no one can take care of her like i can so when she is no long here i do not know what i will do i do live on my owe but i am not really allound to cook on the stove but i try sometimes mostly i use the microwave i pay my owe bills my mom comes over every other day to be here when i shower case i fall and then she takes me shopping and a few times a month for my doctors

As someone who has been living with Cerebral Palsy since Birth and having to deal with all of the fears, doubts and what if that come with the disorder, I can't say enough about the Mind over Matter principle. We must all remember that we are not our disability and our disability is not us! We are UNIQUE and unique is BEAUTIFUL! Yes it is difficult but who said that life was going to be easy, right?

Keep on Keepin on Everyone

-Danny

Post edited by: djchealth, at: 04/17/2012 07:30 PM

In an earlier discussion I told of a college adaptive P. E. instructor who first told me of the mind over matter concept in dealing with my CP condition. What she said was true and the reverse is true too, bad effects occur when the body controls the mind or the disability controls the person. However since then I have learned further interesting facts about this mind over matter concept, one is that in occult science it is considered the basis of magic.

Yes, I know many are wondering what has occult science and magic to do with physical disability, namely CP. Just ask yourself what it felt like when you did that thing which you never did before and kept getting better at it. It felt good or wonderful didn’t it? That improvement and wonderful sensation of accomplishment is the magic for the cerebral palsied person. Yes, in most cases it took much practice just as the magician must devout much practice to his profession. In both incidents the phrase “Rome wasn’t built in a day” applies. But when the disabled person gains the feeling that his effort was worth it, there is where the real magic lays which causes him to want to try to do more and better things, his inner strength.