Living with cerebral palsy is so exhausting, sometimes I want to give up. Here's what's helped me

This First Person article is the experience of Alex Lytwyn, who lives with cerebral palsy and is a disability advocate, writer and small business owner of Willpower Media.

At present, my life is beyond exhausting. Being in a power wheelchair can be — and is — at times very difficult. Every so often, life can feel like I am spinning my wheels and not getting anywhere. And honestly, I do have days when I just want to give up.

But it's the simplest things in life that can help put me at ease. I want to acknowledge that.

You see, advocating for those, like myself, who have cerebral palsy can come with a risk of sounding like I am complaining. At times, it can come across in somewhat of a combative tone — maybe even occasionally sounding repetitive and never satisfied.

So, in this article, I want to change up my writing style and show my appreciation to all who have helped me along my journey for the betterment of my life — and society as a whole.

Here are some of the ways that kindness has enhanced my life:

When my wheelchair is stuck in a snowbank and I'm freezing, thank you to the people who have gotten me unstuck.

Thank you to the people who don't let social convention limit how they see people with disabilities.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/first-person-alex-lytwyn-9.7175047