Yoakum teen doesn't let Cerebral Palsy stop her
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Facts about cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy is a motor function abnormality that affects the ability to control body movement
Many children with CP have a normal intellect and only suffer from physical complications
CP is not contagious and not ...
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Facts about cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy is a motor function abnormality that affects the ability to control body movement
Many children with CP have a normal intellect and only suffer from physical complications
CP is not contagious and not progressive
About 10,000 babies develop CP per year
About two to three children per 1,000 has CP
SWEET HOME - Life can be full of challenges, but Regan Brown does what she can to eliminate them.
Regan, 13, of Yoakum, has cerebral palsy. Born four months premature, she has a normal intellect, but is dependent on a walker to move around and has minimal strength in her arms.
She battled the first six months of her life on an oxygen tube for lack of lung support, but remains healthy today.
"I've learned that nothing in the world can stop me," Regan said. "Even if you have a disability, don't let that stop you. God can help you in any way possible - physically, mentally or emotionally."
In her spare time, she dances ballet and tap, swims and participates in Special Olympic track meets.
"I've been doing track since I was in third grade," Regan said. "It's my chosen sport. It's so much fun. I love to run on the track, but sometimes it makes me a little sore."
Regan, who will be in eighth grade this fall, said she tries to eat healthy to give her strength to participate in activities.
"In school, lunch is my favorite subject," she joked. "I do have a big appetite. I like spaghetti. I also like fettuccine alfredo, steaks and baked potatoes."
Regan is capable of doing more than what people assume, she said.
"Sometimes people don't trust me that I can do stuff," she said. "It makes me a little bit upset. I just tell myself that I can do it, and if people don't believe in me, they just don't know who I am."
Awkward looks she receives from strangers sometimes happen, but she doesn't get discouraged by their bad judgement.
"They might think of me as a weird person because I'm in a walker," she said. "I wish they would think of me like I was awesome and cool, and fun and nice."
But once strangers see how chatty Regan is, their perceptions change, said her mother, Christine Brown.
"It just takes that minute of getting to know her because she's so much more than that," said Christine, who is a gymnastics coach at K&L Tumbletown in Sweet Home. "They expect her cerebral palsy to affect her brain so much. She's so fun and witty, and is a great conversationalist."
Christine believes her daughter's positive attitude can impact people around her.
"It's not something that's broken or needs to be fixed, it's just a blessing she was born with that she needs to showcase," Christine said. "I look at it more as a special talent God has given to her. For us, it is for us to show the world how successful you can be and have a little bit of an extra challenge."
In her future, Regan wants to run a travel agency Web site for the disabled so they can know what tours and destinations are available for them.
She'd also like to write an autobiography and talk about her faith, her family and how her disability has affected her.
Regan said she will rely on God to show her what her calling in life is. She's not quite sure what that is yet.
"He has something in the world for me to do, but when I find what that special purpose is, I will know what that is. God has always good stuff planned for each and every one of us."
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Cebrain, you're very welcome. It was a pleasure meeting her.
July 1, 2009 at 9:41 p.m.Julian, we are thrilled with how well the article turned out and I just love the video. Regan is enjoying all the comments and new found celebrity. She has received a ton of phone calls from so many people who are excited to read her story. She made me giggle when yesterday evening while we were reflecting about the day, and she said "Maybe TLC will call and I will get my own reality show just like John and Kate".
Thanks again and definitely do more stories about inspiring people overcoming life's challenges it gives everyone hope.
July 1, 2009 at 2:33 p.m.This young lady stirs the emotions tied to "I Wish I Would Had Done That" in most people, it seems few will cross the line and make that wish happen, I wonder if people are too busy or don't believe in themselves, we all have brains which seem to be kept in low drive, I wish everyone would take a couple of steps towards their wish, perhaps hidden are future inventors, writers, caregivers, etc. Living in a dream cannot be as great then making your own wishes and dreams come true.
June 30, 2009 at 4:34 p.m.Would you guys like the Advocate to cover more stories similar to Regan's?
June 30, 2009 at 2:52 p.m.John said:
This person and those like her deserve to be mentioned as “Victoria area’s most important people”.
Lom says, AMEN!
June 30, 2009 at 2:51 p.m.I myself found Regan to be very impressive during my interview with her. She's an inspiration to me as well.
June 30, 2009 at 2:50 p.m.Good story Julian. A tip of the cap to Regan and Christine. If only other kids would get inspired to get off their duffs and exercise as much as Regan does some of their obesity would go away. Their self esteem would increase. My late B-I-L was crippled from birth but that didn't prevent him from playing ball with the other kids. He was an accomplished entertainer. He loved to fish. He graduated from college. He had a good "on air" personality as a DJ. One time when he got turned down for a job he came in just afumin', "Hell, it's my legs that don't work, not my brain." Once he landed a job utilizing his accounting skills he worked until his health gave out. REGAN, WE'RE PROUD OF YOU, GIRL. KEEP SHOWING PEOPLE THAT THEY CAN USUALLY DO WHAT THEY SET THEIR MINDS TO. HUGS TO YOU AND YOUR MOM.
June 30, 2009 at 2:44 p.m.This person and those like her deserve to be mentioned as “Victoria area’s most important people”.
People with these “abilities”, not “disabilities” make us better for having know them; because they have a character some have lost in Victoria, “to never give up”.
Through the course of their lives, they know the value in the old saying, “there is more than one way to do something.”
I wish every young person in school that feels their life are so hard, that they must give up on their dreams; would have an opportunity to meet a person like this girl. She embodies my creed, “Life is not a excuse but a responsibility”.
God bless her
June 30, 2009 at 2:21 p.m.It takes one to show many how to kick chains off and live!
June 30, 2009 at 4:14 a.m.Regan, you ARE awesome and cool, and fun and nice! You are already miles ahead of those who would underestimate you. YOU GO GIRL!!
June 30, 2009 at 3:54 a.m.What an inspiration!! Thanks for this story. Regan, you sound like a REALLY SUPER young lady.
June 29, 2009 at 11:56 p.m.It is so nice to read a story written about such a spectacular girl! Regan is so much more than a sweet girl; she is an inspiration to all. The world would be such a better place if there were more people who could share a smile despite adversity. Thank you, Regan!
June 29, 2009 at 9:04 p.m.