Chaeli's Story

Maria Rojas
Humanities Period 1/2
Sharon Peters
October 24, 2012

Standing Up For People Like You

Cerebral Palsy is a disorder that affects over 15 million people worldwide. (Source) It is a condition that causes a physical disability and affects various areas of movement. Most people with this disability  don’t have enough money to attend therapy sessions or buy special devices. Not many people know about cerebral palsy, therefore they can’t give a hand. Fortunately there is someone that has stood up for these children and has given them a voice. Chaeli Mycroft, was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at a very young age, but she has not let that stop her from achieving her dreams. Chaeli created a campaign in South Africa which focuses on providing disabled children with all the gear and support they need. She is also making sure disabled kids are treated equally and that they can be the best they can be regardless of their disability.

Chaeli’s Campaign assists disabled children with special equipment, physical therapy and emotional support. When Chaeli first got her motorized wheelchair, she felt so free and independent for the first time that she wanted to give children like her the opportunity to experience that same liberty that changed her life. She deeply understands how irritating it is to need someone to push your wheelchair to go everywhere and how badly you want some freedom. She’s knows how all those disabled children feel and she wants to help them become more confident and free. One of Cheali’s campaign’s main focuses is to provide disabled children with assistant devices to help them move around without supervision or help. She helps over 3,000 children every year to fight against cerebral palsy and bec0me more independent with help of equipment and support.  Chaeli’s work is immensely helpful because many people with disabilities don’t have enough money to go to therapy sessions or buy assistant devices. Chaeli wants disabled children to look up to her and learn from her experience.

Chaeli has also inspired thousands of disabled children to think beyond their disabilities, keep on going and be the best they can be. She believes she can give children like her a voice and make them be heard. Cheali wants disabled children to be treated equally and fairly, just like any other non-disabled child; specially at school, where their disabilities don't interfere with their learning abilities. A child that suffers from Cerebral Palsy should not be discriminated in any way because they have the same learning skills as any other child, that’s one of the main purposes of Chaeli’s Campaign. Cheali believes that a disabled child can do whatever he/she set their mind to and they don’t have to wait for people to say its okay, because if they see a need then they should do something about it”. (Chaeli’s story) Chaeli wants children like her to have a great future and have a long, healthy life, that’s why she gives them hope and helps them overcome their insecurities.

Chaeli’s work has been extremely helpful, she has been a sister to children in need for help and she has given them a voice. She knew kids like her were worth fighting for. Chaeli wants to be an inspiration to children with this disability so that in the future they can also help people like them and continue her legacy. Chaeli decided to stand up for people like her and help them find happiness, which is extremely brave and admirable. What’s she’s done is immensely courageous because not many people can stand up for what they believe, but she did because she knows these children are worth it.