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Hey Everyone,

I'm Kelley the voice of Sheisonarun.wordpress.com and @Sheisonarun. 

I'm a differently abilied runner, blogger, and an ambassador for both Fitfluential, Sweat Pink (Fit Approach), Girls Gone Sport. I started running in October of 2011 and have never turned back. I've had a very different experience then most runners though because I have Cerebral Palsy.

According to the MayoClinic.com,cerebral palsy is a disorder of movement, muscle tone or posture that is caused by injury or abnormal development in the immature brain, most often before birth. In the simplest turns it means that the body does not work that way that it is supposed to and makes the simplest things harder to do. There are different types of cerebral palsy. Some people suffer from more sever cerebral palsy then others and they affect different parts of the body more then others.

I'm very thankful to survive with a mild form of cerebral palsy. It really only effects the left side of my body and causes me to have some mild learning disabilities. I believe that my cerebral palsy is so mild because of the fact that I was in physical therapy from very early on in life. My PT started before I was ever even able to walk and I did it all the way though early elementary school. I do still walk with a limp, but it could be worse and a lot more noticeable with out the PT and the reconstructive operations that I've had over the years.

When I decided to start running in October of 2011 I know that it was going to be a challenge because of the fact that I do walk with a limp. My running stride is different then my walking stride, but my body seems to be able to figure it out. Most of the time I never suffer from any pain related to my cerebral palsy, but when I do I use my ankle brace and it goes away pretty quickly. The only time I notice my cerebral palsy during my runs is when the miles start to add up and my legs start to get tired. I can feel myself limping more and on longer running. I have become a stronger runner though so I've seen some improvement in my strength and my ability to run longer.

I do have one big struggle though and that's my speed. I am a slow runner. I've always been a slow walker so I know that I would be a slow runner, but I still having trouble getting past the fact that I'm a slow runner. I know that speed comes with work and that I will get there, but it's still really hard not to compare myself to other runners around me. I PRed in the Anywhere5k that I ran this past weekend. My PR was 42 minutes and I'm proud of myself.

So, if you're out running, at the gym or just getting your sweat on and see someone with a disability working hard please tell them they are doing a great job and to keep at it. From a differently abilied person it is really an amazing feeling to see that your personal success is noticed and not just the fact that the person has a disability. Stare at them because they are doing something amazing not just because they walk with a limp or are in a wheel chair.

Live | Love | Run

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Thank you, Kelley! Hearing your story is an inspiring way to begin our week. 

I dare you to seek your own self-improvement and celebrate your own personal successes. (And while you're at it, celebrate others', too!)