By Lizzy Tsuang
Circulation Editor
Not having to ability to talk or walk alone is a disability most people can’t imagine living with. However, these effects of cerebral palsy are ones Junior Kathryn Cross has accepted into her life.
Cerebral palsy first came into Cross’ life at the age of three when her younger brother, Andrew, contracted the disorder after a drowning accident. To support her brother and others with his disorder, Cross founded a non-profit organization and started the California Cerebral Palsy club at Costa.
“Even though I’ve never really had the brotherly experiences that others have had, it’s an experience that I’m glad happened to me because it really opened my eyes,” Cross said. “Seeing the world from a disabled person’s eyes really made me want to try not to judge anyone’s situation because I’ve seen people do it to my brother when it’s not true.”
Cerebral palsy, the most common motor disorder in childhood, is a group of disorders that in some cases can prevent people from talking or moving on their own. It is incurable, but can be improved with treatment depending on the severity of the case.
“I feel connected to the issue and helping research for it because a lot of the time doctors call people with cerebral palsy vegetables,” Cross said. “They’re still people. My brother still has feelings, and can laugh, and smile. I just want students to be aware.”
By creating this club, Cross hopes to promote awareness of this disorder. She hopes to change the way students view people with cerebral palsy and to educate them on the realities of living with this disorder.
“After becoming friends with Cross and seeing how cerebral palsy has affected her life, I wanted to help out,” co-president junior Jackson Kopitz said. “We want to work together to do all that we can to try an make a difference for these people who are struggling with this disorder.”
Branched from her non-profit, Cross wants to further utilize the club for fundraising and educational purposes. The two main organizations they will donate to CereCare and Truman Neurological Solution.
“Cerebral palsy is a very difficult situation for many families,” mother of Cross Jan Chen said. “Through our non-profit, we try to raise money to support foundations that reach out to families with a child with this disability. We also support organizations that specialize in research.”
CACP is holding fundraisers at California Pizza Kitchen on Nov 11 and at the Counter on Dec 15. A percentage of the profits will be donated to foundations for cerebral palsy. CACP club meets on Fridays at lunch in room 53.
“My goal is to make $3000 by the end of this year through fundraisers and club functions,” Cross said. “I hope that by doing so, my club will be able to raise awareness of all neurological diseases, not only cerebral palsy, because a lot of them are rare and therefore don’t receive funding, so I want to make a difference there as well.”
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