Book about disability empowerment- Girl with Cerebral Palsy enjoys beautiful run
Gianna (not her real name) is bespectacled fifteen-year-old sophomore in high school with thick and wavy dark brown hair that falls below her shoulders. She has bright amber eyes and a razor thin build.
Though Gianna has Cerebral Palsy, she lives on the sunny side of life and troubles herself with none of its cares. Like most girls her age, she loves her cell phone, clothes, shoes, accessories and, of course, the latest teen heartthrob. While Gianna could walk for short periods without using a walker for balance, it is quite a struggle for her to move from point A to point B.
When I first met Gianna, I was drawn to her gregarious personality, her musical tastes (she was wearing a Beatles T-shirt), her many opinions, and her eager determination to find work.
I instantly liked her.
After securing Gianna her first paid job at a shoe store at a large retail outlet not too far from her suburban home, one Saturday a few weeks into her job I decided to take Gianna’s parents up on their offer to “stop by any time” when I was in the area. My wife had heard about Gianna, and I wanted her to see for herself the magic Gianna possessed.
So, I stopped by with my wife, Annie.
Gianna’s mother greeted us warmly at the front door with hellos and hugs. She carried a broom and dustpan nestled beneath her arm and was obviously in the middle of cleaning, but was nevertheless happy we showed up on this unannounced visit. She ushered us inside, offered food and drinks, and informed us that Gianna was downstairs playing with her baby brother.
Her mother then called to Gianna in a thick Staten Island accent, “GIANNA, MIKE’S HERE!” and then led my wife and me upstairs to sit with several extended members of Gianna’s large Greek and Italian family.
As we made our way up the stairs, I heard great rumblings from below—banging, thumping, and clanging. At first, I wondered if Gianna had fallen … a few times.
I soon realized the sounds were actually of Gianna staggering her way up the two small flights of stairs of her split-level home as fast as she could to get to me. Huffing and puffing, she rounded the corner of the living room and fell into my arms from sheer exhaustion. Her hair fell into her eyes and she swiped it away all the while holding on to me. I heard some sniffles that showed a few family members were touched by the genuineness and beauty of the moment.
To lighten the mood, Gianna’s father quipped, “Ay, easy there, Gee! Mike’s married!” This garnered a few laughs from the small crowd while Gianna stood next to me with a giant smile and flushed cheeks, holding me tight.
I have to say, I’d seen Barry Sanders scamper on the football gridiron to avoid tacklers, Usain Bolt sprint to shatter world records on the track, and Bruce Jenner dash with his arms triumphantly raised en route to a decathlon gold medal in the Olympics.
Those were some absolutely beautiful runs.
But Gianna’s run into my arms—though stumbling and awkward—was by far the most beautiful run I had ever seen.
To read more stories about interesting kids with disabilities, visit https://www.specialstoriesbook.com to learn about the new book, “Special Stories: Short Stories On Youth With Disabilities And My Adventures Working In The Disabilities Field” by Mike Kelly (2017, Vendue Books)
