A version of me

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<p><strong>[00:02]</strong> <em>Speaker (Deaire):</em> So my dad told me that when they sat down after going through all the diagnosis practices and everything like that, that the person that came out to give them the diagnosis in person had cerebral palsy himself.</p>

<p><strong>[00:14]</strong> <em>Speaker (Deaire):</em> If you could share one thing about disability, what would it be?</p>

<p><strong>[00:18]</strong> <em>Speaker (Host):</em> We asked Deaire.</p>

<p><strong>[00:19]</strong> <em>Speaker (Host):</em> She wants you to Know This.</p>

<p><strong>[00:22]</strong> <em>Speaker (Deaire):</em> Even though he didn't say it, what went through my dad's mind was, "OK, well, he's sitting here and he's a doctor.</p>

<p><strong>[00:30]</strong> <em>Speaker (Deaire):</em> So if he can have cerebral palsy and become a doctor, she can do whatever she wants to do."</p>

<p><strong>[00:37]</strong> <em>Speaker (Deaire):</em> And it's in thanks to my dad's philosophy, which he got from someone with lived experience.</p>

<p><strong>[00:44]</strong> <em>Speaker (Deaire):</em> And lived experience is so important.</p>

<p><strong>[00:49]</strong> <em>Speaker (Deaire):</em> People don't understand that I have chronic pain.</p>

<p><strong>[00:53]</strong> <em>Speaker (Deaire):</em> People just assume that I'm doing OK.</p>

<p><strong>[00:56]</strong> <em>Speaker (Deaire):</em> You don't know my life.</p>

<p><strong>[00:58]</strong> <em>Speaker (Deaire):</em> You see this version of me from the outside.</p>

<p><strong>[01:01]</strong> <em>Speaker (Deaire):</em> And the reason that I'm so capable and I can work part time and I can work in the disability industry and I can raise my kids is because I am now getting support for most of my life.</p>

<p><strong>[01:12]</strong> <em>Speaker (Deaire):</em> They told me I probably couldn't have children and then I was told that I definitely wouldn't be able to give birth and that it could be dangerous for me.</p>

<p><strong>[01:19]</strong> <em>Speaker (Deaire):</em> Like I could have preeclampsia, I could have all of these issues.</p>

<p><strong>[01:22]</strong> <em>Speaker (Deaire):</em> So then to have a healthy pregnancy and to actually do really well during pregnancy. I was very grateful.</p>

<p><strong>[01:30]</strong> <em>Speaker (Deaire):</em> You know, I think in my life I always carry gratitude because I look at my circumstances and I think, you know what, there are so many people that are worse off and I'm just grateful that I am where I am.</p>

<p><strong>[01:41]</strong> <em>Speaker (Deaire):</em> When I first walk into gymnastics, there's an anxiety.</p>

<p><strong>[01:44]</strong> <em>Speaker (Deaire):</em> Then I see how excited my daughter is to be there and she sees her little friends.</p>

<p><strong>[01:49]</strong> <em>Speaker (Deaire):</em> And then I'll see like one of the mums and I can start talking to people.</p>

<p><strong>[01:52]</strong> <em>Speaker (Deaire):</em> And then I feel really a part of the community and I, I feel like one of the other mums and I get to sit there and watch her and everyone's really kind.</p>

<p><strong>[02:01]</strong> <em>Speaker (Deaire):</em> And I just see the look on parents face when they meet me and they have a child with cerebral palsy and they see me grown, three children working, engaging in community, giving back.</p>

<p><strong>[02:13]</strong> <em>Speaker (Deaire):</em> And they're like, Oh my goodness, maybe my child has that future.</p>

<p><strong>[02:19]</strong> <em>Speaker (Deaire):</em> Even if I can't do it in the way you think it should be done, I'll find my own way to do it.</p>

<p><strong>[02:24]</strong> <em>Speaker (Deaire):</em> No matter what's in its way, it finds a way around.</p>

<p><strong>[02:27]</strong> <em>Speaker (Deaire):</em> So I feel like that's where it connects with me.</p>

<p><strong>[02:32]</strong> <em>Speaker (Host):</em> We're proud to be a part of Deaire's Story.</p>

<p><strong>[02:35]</strong> <em>Speaker (Host):</em> To make plan management part of yours, visit Plan Partners.</p>

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