By Christine Rudd,
UCP supporter and past consumer of UCP of New York City services.
I have never thought of myself as different. That's just not the way my family has ever treated me or how I see myself. So, when I was little and couldn't walk because of my Cerebral Palsy (CP) and wanted to play with one of my toys, I remember being told that I could crawl and get it if I wanted it, because there was nothing wrong with me. I never saw that as mean or a bad thing, and I think those words are what continue to push me today.
I started my interaction with United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) at the UCP Center in Brooklyn, New York when I was around two-years-old. One of my earliest memories of that time is being in my classroom singing and playing with a parachute with the rest of my classmates. I also remember a field trip we took to Pennsylvania and having a great time with everyone.
During this time, I also remember not being able to walk at all. I was determined that someday I would walk and not have to rely on other people to push me in my wheelchair. My mom was told that due to my CP, I would never walk or lead a normal life. Later on, when we were packing to move to Florida, I remember finding medical documentation stating that my "young mother was delusional that her daughter would have a normal life, when it was obvious that I wouldn't."
Says my mom, Nancy Arenas,
"The UCP center on Lawrence Avenue in Brooklyn that Christinne attended had a great staff. The counselors, teachers even the bus drivers were great, knowledgeable, supportive, courteous and helpful. They helped us through some tough decisions with regards to Christinne and her development. They were there to advocate for us when we were confronted with doctors who wanted to insensitively go in and operate without looking at the big picture. The UCP staff was supportive as I stood my ground on believing that I knew best for my daughter and given the options, I could make the right decision for my daughter, Christinne. I am always thankful that we found UCP and for what they did for us."
After many appointments and with the help and direction of the advocates at my UCP Center, I underwent various operations and took my first step with assistance at about six-years-old.
In school, I was "mainstreamed" and included in the classroom for the first time, when I enrolled in 3rd grade, full time. At this point, I was using a wheelchair because, although I was walking with assistance and at home, I couldn't get on the bus in the morning by myself. It was an experience for me, because I found myself explaining my disability to the other kids.
By the 7th grade, we moved to Staten Island, New York. This was also interesting, because I think I was the first student with a disability the school ever had, or at least that is how I felt. All the kids in school would stare at me and never say a word to me. It was like I was an alien or something. I really couldn't understand this because it'd always been pretty easy for me to make friends. By this time, I was walking with only the use of a cane as I do today.
Then UCP came calling again, to answer one of my desires. The New Kids on the Block were going perform at the UCP Telethon in 1990, . I asked my mom to take me to New York City where the telethon was being held. The first night we were there watching the New Kids on the Block, I met this girl, Jenny and her cousin. We were both big fans of the group and loved every minute of the performance.
After the telethon, Jenny and I spent the following years as pen pals, and 19 years later, she was the Maid of Honor at my wedding.
My Mom and I then met Ben Vereen. We told him what a huge fan of the New Kids I was and he was determined to get me to meet them. He was so nice and took care of my Mom and me, getting my Mom coffee and making sure we were okay. Then, he got me back stage and I met Donnie Wahlberg and Joe McIntyre. They were so nice. Donnie said something about getting me on stage with the New Kids, but nothing was made definite.
When I went back to where you could watch the Telethon, I ended up in a group of people that were sitting on the edge of the stage. The next thing I remember, the New Kids were on stage singing, and Donnie came over to me and sang "Be My Girl" on National TV!
When I went back to school that Monday, everyone wanted to talk to me and be my friend. The school newspaper even wrote an article about me. Not only do I love New Kids on the Block for the music and entertainment they give to their fans, but also for their belief in UCP. They believe in people with CP and know that we aren't really any different and shouldn't be treated differently than anyone else.
After High School, I moved to Florida with my mom. I had decided around this time that I wanted to work with people with disabilities to give them the voice that they so desperately needed and rarely had.
Because of the belief in me and the support I received from UCP, I was able to become successful on my own merits. I hold a Bachelor's in Legal Studies and a Master's in Criminal Justice, both from the University of Central Florida. I currently work at the Center for Independent Living (CIL) outside of Orlando as the Advocate and work in the community on different issues. I met my husband at CIL, and we recently bought our first house.
In the future, I am looking to expand my advocacy role in the community, write a book and possibly become a speaker. My ultimate goal is to help educate people so that they know that people with disabilities aren't so different and that we deserve to have the most fulfilling life as we can despite our obstacles, and to help people with disabilities reach that goal.
I thank UCP of New York City and the entire affiliate network in my heart every day, because without the help they provided for my mom and me, I wouldn't be able to have the beautiful and fulfilling life that I have, and I wouldn't have the opportunity to be a role model to others.
For more information, contact Will Hull at (202) 776-0406 x7106.
Related Post:
Get Podcasts for your MP3 Player
Comments for this post
