How often have we heard society telling disabled people what they can or can not achieve, and limiting their potential?
However, history and time have proved that boundaries are meant to be crossed, and how people have not only lived with severe conditions but got famous and earned their names. Only because they believed in themselves, and didn’t allow their weaknesses to hold them back.
Here are 11 celebrities with Cerebral Palsy that we know and admire today, who are great examples of strength and courage. All these have led their lives with Cerebral Palsy, and thrived in their careers, showing the world that nothing can hold you back from achieving the great things in life.
But before we shine a light on the famous celebrities with Cerebral Palsy and their achievements, it is important to know what Cerebral Palsy is, and how it affects an individual’s life and daily chores.
What is Cerebral Palsy:
Cerebral Palsy (Brain Paralysis) is an umbrella term that refers to multiple brain disorders that affect movement, posture, and muscle tone because of the damage to the developing brain.
Cerebral Palsy is a static disorder and is non-progressive, but it is a misconception that it only gets worse with time and as the child develops. With the right support, guidance, and care, an individual can lead a normal and fulfilling life with Cerebral Palsy.
Cause:
The cause of Cerebral Palsy is the damage to the brain occurring before, during, or shortly after birth. The baby’s brain damage could be oxygen shortage, infections, or traumas of the mother during pregnancy or delivery.
Symptoms:
The symptoms of Cerebral Palsy vary according to condition and severity in every child but often include:
- Muscle stiffness.
- Imbalance.
- Difficulty with coordination and speech.
- Weakness.
- Involuntary movements.
Early Signs of CP in a Child:
- Poor feeding.
- Docility and irritability.
- Abnormal reflexes.
- Abnormal muscle tone.
List of Famous 11 Celebrities with Cerebral Palsy:
Here are 11 celebrities with Cerebral Palsy, that have proved to the world that their dreams, talents, and abilities were far more strong than their disabilities
1. RJ Mitte (Actor, Producer, Activist, and Model):
Roy Frank ‘’RJ’ Mitte has Cerebral Palsy. He was diagnosed with CP at the age of 3 but suffered from brain damage during birth. He has faced several hardships with motor control and posture and has gone through years of medication and therapies.
Achievements:
RJ Mitte is an American actor with Cerebral Palsy, well-known for his character Walter White Jr in the famous series “Breaking Bad”. His character Walter White Jr, named Flynn, also suffers from Cerebral Palsy, but more severe than Mitte’s actual condition. Other than Breaking Bad, he has done several other acting roles in the movies “Triumph”, “Switched at Birth”, “Dixieland” and more. Despite his serious condition, he became a famous actor, model, and advocate for disabled people, and works with several charities to help disabled people.
“One thing I’ve learned from my disability is that when there is an obstacle, you adapt and grow. You can’t let that obstacle break you down and discourage you”.
-RJ Mitte.
This shows his courage and bravery to face obstacles and come back stronger each time.
2. Josh Blue ( Comedian):
Among the famous celebrities with Cerebral Palsy, another renowned name is Josh Blue, an American comedian. Cerebral Palsy has affected his muscle coordination, but not his abilities and talents. And he proved that.
Achievements:
Humorously telling his CP experiences and for his wit, he won the Last Comic Standing. Winning an award like this while handling everyday challenges that CP brings, he showed the world what strength and resilience look like. His words always reflect bravery and strong beliefs.
“I am just living my life as I want to live it, as opposed to the way people think I should live it.”
-Josh Blue.
3. Dan Keplinger (Artist and Speaker):
Dan Keplinger, a great artist and speaker, is among the famous people with Cerebral Palsy. The doctor thought of him as a stillborn and placed him aside. From Lack of oxygen, he suffered a brain injury and was diagnosed with athetoid Cerebral Palsy. The severity of CP has limited Dan’s ability to move and speak, but his art and mind have no boundaries.
Achievements:
Dan Keplinger became a famous artist, renowned for his art masterpieces. His major accomplishment was getting featured in the Oscar-winning documentary “King Gimp”. What inspires people from Dan’s life is that he uses a headstick to paint, but doesn’t allow his disability to dull his sparkle and talent. He found other ways to make his place in the world and communicate with the people.
“Art is how I communicate with the world; it’s my voice” – Dan Keplinger.
4. Christy Brown ( Painter, Poet, and Author):
Christy Brown was a painter, poet, and an exceptional author of the 20th century. After a short while after his birth, he was diagnosed with spastic Cerebral Palsy, which restricted him to control any limb of his body except his left foot.
Keeping aside the thought of what his body parts were disabled, he focused on what parts were not. And thus, inspired the world by writing and painting only with his left foot.
Achievements:
One of his major achievements is his autobiographical book “My Left Foot” which reflects the real-life struggles and accomplishments of Brown. Later, his book “My Left Foot” was made into a film of the same name, starring Daniel Day-Lewis. The movie was a big hit and inspired many people with Brown’s courage and strength.
“It’s not a matter of how much you’re disabled, but how much you aren’t disabled”.
-Christy Brown.
5. Maysoon Zayid ( Comedian and Activist):
Maysoon Zayid, a Palestinian-American actress, comedian, and activist was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy when during birth, she lost oxygen. Her disorder didn’t hold her back, and she earned a great name in the entertainment industry.
Achievements:
Maysoon Zayid became the first Muslim-female comedian in America and a powerful advocate for the rights of disabled people. She, through her humor and strength, enlightened the lives of many other disabled people and inspired them to shine like a bright star. She has also given a TED talk, viewed more than 1 billion times, further strengthening her impact and message to the world.
“Be the best you that you can be. Don’t let anyone define you. Only you get to define you”.
-Maysoon Zayid
6. Anne McDonald (Author):
Anne McDonald was diagnosed with severe athetoid Cerebral Palsy as a result of her birth injury. The severity of this disorder limited her intellectual abilities and she was unable to talk, walk, or feed herself. She was intellectually disabled and dependent on others for her basic daily life chores.
Achievement:
Anne Mcdonald wrote a book “Annie’s Coming Out”, co-authored with Rosemary Crossley, which was later made into a film. This film based on her book won several Australian Film Institute awards. She has written many articles about disabilities, spoken at conferences about it, and fought for the rights of disabled people, emphasizing the right to communicate. She was also given the Personal Achievement Award.
She never considered herself any less than a normal human being. As she once said:
“I am a human being with the same right to live and love as any other person”
-Anne McDonald
7. Keah Brown (Activist and Author):
Keah Brown is also among the famous people with Cerebral Palsy and was diagnosed with spastic hemiplegic CP, which made her unable to control the right side of her body. But as she was a positive and loving soul, she never stopped loving and praising herself and inspired many to do the same.
Achievements:
She is an author, activist, and founder of the very famous #DisabledAndCute movement. She has also written a book ‘The Pretty One’ in which she has challenged the beauty standards of society and praised her disability. Her words reflect her high self-esteem.
“My disability is a part of me, but it’s not the only part”
-Keah Brown.
8. Mark Giovi (Singer):
Mark Giovi, a singer, performer, and music manager, has Cerebral Palsy that has affected his muscle control. But despite having challenges, he made his way towards a successful music career.
Achievements:
Mark Giovi has appeared and performed on several TV shows including Good Morning America with different stars and showcased his singing skills. He also co-founded the Las Vegas Tenors and is now recognized as a famous singer with Cerebral Palsy. For him, music was his biggest strength.
“Music is my escape, my way of showing the world that I’m more than my disability”
-Mark Giovi
9. Geri Jewell (Actress):
Geri Jewell is also on the list of famous celebrities with Cerebral Palsy and is a renowned actress, comedian, author, and motivational speaker. She was a premature baby, delivered 3 months earlier when her mother had a car accident. She was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy when she was eighteen months old.
Achievements:
Geri Jewell was the 1st person with Cerebral Palsy to be cast in a regular role in the prime-time TV series “The Facts of Life”. She is an award-winning author, performer, and a contributing writer for ‘Ability Magazine’.
“I never let my disability define me, I let it refine me.”
-Geri Jewell.
10. Abbey Curran (Beauty Pageant):
Abbey Curran is a beauty Pageant and was diagnosed with a mild form of Cerebral Palsy, that affected her mobility.
Achievements:
Abbey Curran became the first Miss USA Pageant with Cerebral Palsy and made an appearance in several shows like Access Hollywood, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and others. Despite having a disability herself, she started a movement, the ‘Miss You Can Do It’ pageant to encourage and celebrate other girls with disabilities.
“Accomplishment begins with two words: I’ll Try.”
– Abbey Curran.
11. Nicolas Hamilton:
Nicolas Hamilton, a race car driver in England, was diagnosed with spastic diplegia Cerebral Palsy when he was eighteen months old. He was a premature baby, delivered 2 months earlier, and was in a critical condition for the first 6 weeks after his birth.
Achievements:
Nicolas, despite having a disability, followed his dreams of motorsport, and became a famous racecar driver, competing in the British Tour Car Championship.
“I may have Cerebral Palsy, but it doesn’t have me. I’m living proof that if you want something bad enough, you can achieve it.”
-Nicolas Hamilton.
These are the 11 celebrities with Cerebral Palsy, who didn’t let any of their weaknesses and disability take over their abilities, and inspired many people with their strengths and positive behavior toward life.
WonderTree Games for Improving Cerebral Palsy:
WonderTree is a platform that crafts interactive games for children with special needs, especially with Cerebral Palsy. These games are specifically designed to help enhance motor skills, cognitive abilities, and several other skills including coordination through games and play, making therapy and learning fun and accessible.
For children aged 4 to 15, WonderTree’s games use motion sensors to track physical movements, helping children to engage directly with the game. By combining therapy with fun, these interactive games encourage regular practice, allowing children with Cerebral Palsy to develop crucial skills in a supportive and enjoyable atmosphere.
Here are some WonderTree Games that help develop several skills in children with Cerebral Palsy:
1: SCOOP’D:
Scoop’d is a fun and addictive game where you step into the role of an ice cream shop owner. Move your hands left and right to catch the sweet scoops as they fall from the top of the screen. But watch out for those red enemy balls – they’re troublemakers! Ready to put on your apron and become a master ice cream scooper? Let’s see how many scoops you can catch!
Improves the Following Skills in Children with Cerebral Palsy:
- Cognitive Skills
- Motor Skills
- Hand-Eye Coordination
- Reflexes
- Object Recognition
- Focus
- Decision Making
2. BUBBLE POP:
Get ready to pop as many soap bubbles as you can before the clock runs out. But watch out for those sneaky fireballs and bombs in red, they’ll pop your bubble in no time! With a bathtime theme, this game is the perfect way to add some fun to your daily routine. So, grab your bubble wand, and let’s get popping!
Improves the Following Skills in Children with Cerebral Palsy:
- Decision Making
- Range of Motion
- Cognitive Skills
- Response time
- Motor Skills
- Focus
- Visualization
3. BALANCE IT:
Put your balance and coordination skills to the test like never before. Hold your hands out in front of you and form a plank to balance the objects that come your way. Do you think you’ve got what it takes to stay steady throughout the game? Let’s find out!
Improves the Following Skills in Children with Cerebral Palsy:
- Upper body movement
- Lower body movement
- Posture control
- Hand and neck coordination
- Balance
- Focus and concentration
- Response time
4. ASTRO BLOCKS:
Get ready to be the commander of your own space mission! It’s up to you to destroy those blocks and complete your mission. But there’s a catch – you’ll need to use your body movements to control the paddle bounce the ball and destroy the blocks. Warning! – don’t let the ball touch the ground. Are you ready to land in the galaxy of fun? 3.. 2..1 Blast!
Improves the Following Skills in Children with Cerebral Palsy:
- Hand-eye coordination
- Attention span
- Focus and concentration
- Bilateral movement
- Lower body movement
- Posture control
- Response time
Check Out: Physical Activity Games for Cerebral Palsy
Frequently Asked Questions:
Are there any famous people with cerebral palsy?
Yes, there are many famous celebrities with Cerebral Palsy, including RJ Mitte who is well-known for his role in the famous TV series “Breaking Bad”.
Can you have a normal life with cerebral palsy?
Yes, many people with cerebral palsy have led normal and fulfilling lives. With the right guidance and care, people can pursue their careers, hobbies, and relationships, just like anybody else.
Can people with cerebral palsy walk normally?
Walking ability in people with Cerebral Palsy depends on the severity of their condition. Some people can walk normally or with minor assistance, while others might need mobility aids like braces or wheelchairs.
What famous actress has cerebral palsy?
Out of many actors and actresses, the most famous actress with cerebral palsy is Geri Jewell, known for her role in the sitcom “The Facts of Life”.
Who is the genius with cerebral palsy?
Christy Brown, an Irish writer, and painter, has been recognized as a genius with Cerebral Palsy, with many intellectual achievements like his autobiography “My Left Foot”. This autobiography later turned into an Oscar-winning film.
What singer has cerebral palsy?
Singer Mark Giovi is among the celebrities with Cerebral Palsy, who have earned great respect from the world despite their illness. Mark Giovi has not let his condition hold him back and inspired many people with his successful career.
