My Life by Daniel Sean Mosley, NATCA Presidential Award Winner
Throughout my life, I have gone through many things. I was born with cerebral palsy. My parents did not know this at that time. It was not until I was delayed in walking that my parents began to suspect that something might be wrong. They dismissed it initially as I was just learning how to walk and it was normal for babies to begin walking at different ages.
Around two years old, my parents took me to a neurologist, and he said that I had cerebral palsy. The degree of disability was not as bad for me as it could have been, since it only affected my legs. The doctor told my parents that there are much worse cases and I got off easy. For the rest of my life, I would have a disability that would affect my gait and balance.
I always attended regular public school. Cerebral palsy did not affect me in school academically or prevent me from participating in other school activities. My teachers commented on how nothing ever stopped me from doing what I wanted to do. I played dodge ball and 4-square during recess and lunch. My walking differently did not hinder me.
In 2nd grade, I learned that I had to have surgery to lengthen my Achilles tendons. I would have casts on both of my legs below my knees for six months and be in a wheelchair while I got better. This was a hard experience for me because I had to stop doing all the things that I normally did. My whole life changed and I did not want to go through this experience again. I vowed that I would never have to get surgery by always trying to walk straight, but it’s difficult. Most kids don’t have to think about their walking.
Even with this physical obstacle in my way, it did not stop me. I played T-ball up to A-ball. By the end of the year, many people knew of the little kid who played A-ball even though he had a disability. As the end of A-ball, I was awarded the Vernon Owen Memorial Most Inspirational Individual of the Year award from Scotts Valley Little League for never giving up and always having a great attitude. This is an award that is given to one player from the entire division each year. Vernon Owen was a AAA baseball player who was killed by a drunk driver and is always remembered for his hard work and determination.
In 7th grade, I wanted to try out for the basketball team at school. My parents were a little hesitant. They knew that I was not really fast because of my disability. I knew this as well, but I told my mom that I just wanted to try, and if I was able to get on the team, then great. If I did not, then that would be fine too. My mom asked me to ask my P.E. teacher, and I told her that I would, but I had already made up my mind to try out. So my parents let me try out and I gave it my all. I had some problems with running–everyone was much faster than me–but overall, I never let down. I did not make the team, but like I said to my mother, the experience was fun, plus other kids didn’t make it either.
As I was growing, we found that one leg was shorter than the other because of my hips. My doctors said that I would have to get a lift on my right shoe. This was just another thing to worry about because I always dragged my feet. I wear through shoes quickly. They last about a month or two months before I have to get them repaired or get new ones, which gets expensive. It’s worth it; I enjoy the feeling of walking level.
In 8th grade, I wanted to ride a bike so I could be more mobile. I tried riding a two-wheeler, but I could not balance on the bike. So my parents and I decided to get a three-wheeler. Initially, I was hesitant about getting this bike because I was afraid of what people might think of me when they saw me riding it. This was supposed to be a bike that was really hard to tip over, but within the first ten minutes of riding the bike, I took a fast turn and tipped the bike over. This accident made me want to ride the bike no matter what. Eventually I got better and stronger. When I finally rode my bike to the game store where I hang out, the owner commented on how cool the bike was. This comment was a real boost to my self-confidence. Because of what he said, I no longer cared if someone did not like my bike, because now I knew someone I respected did.
Though I have a disability, for the most part it did not affect who my friends were because they did not care. I did not have anyone making fun of me. I went through school with many of the same kids and they knew me. In middle school, I did not have many friends my same age; they were either older or younger. It was always fun to hang out with the older kids because I thought they were so cool. In the 7th grade I got pushed down in the lunch line. A circle of people formed around the person who pushed me over and they pushed him around. They didn’t think it was fair for someone to pick on me. I was glad to have so many friends.
Despite having cerebral palsy, my attitude has never changed. Everyone has always commented that I have such a positive attitude and how it has affected them. I believe that everyone comes into your life for a reason, and everyone affects you in how you act, talk, or what you listen to. Everything you do depends on everyone else’s reaction around you. I believe that I have touched many lives by how I approach life. I affect by everything I say and do. This is a great feeling knowing that you have touched someone’s life in ways that one might not even know.
I have gone through many challenges, and in my future it will not be any different. I look forward to my next step of getting into college and furthering my studies and experiences. I see myself studying to be a youth pastor and also doing something with music. I enjoy working with kids and want to make them feel welcome and safe in all environments. If there is no one to guide them, they are at a higher risk of getting into trouble or even worse, killed. I want to prevent these things from happening and be a guide for others.
