Karla's Chronicles

I have been told all of my life that Cerebral Palsy is not progressive. Yes, that is correct, once you're born, the brain damage is done. It's there. You can't take it away, and you can't wave your magic wand to make it go away. Oh, how I wish I were able to do something as simple as a 'Cinderella midnight spell' to make this leave my body. The cold hard truth says no. So, here I am. This is the simple truth. However, what you don't find out is that although not progressive, your body can have little annoyances along the way that change because of the strain that your disability puts on all of your muscles. I am a spastic quad, which means that all four limbs are affected. My leg problems are what prevents me from walking. My hand and wrist problems are limited to a fused wrist and a couple of weird quirks like not being able to turn my hands and arms over completely. Weird, I know, but it is a part of the package. I have been dealing with agonizing pain my ...

As someone with a social work degree, there are times when it is hard not to make my posts sound too psychological. I guess, though, that it is just a part of who I am. It is a quality that I won't disregard, though. After all, not everyone is blessed with the ability to analyze at such an introspective level. With that being said, a couple of weeks ago, I conducted a poll on Facebook (God love social media) and asked what everyone's best quality was. I did this for several reasons, but the top two were to get a blog topic started & to get people thinking about themselves in a positive manner. Upon observation of the varied responses I received, I saw that loyal was a popular choice. Loyalty is a very important and admirable quality. Being there for someone when they may need you or may need some serious help is always very redeemable. I also saw prevalence in the quality of kindness. Of course, in the twisted world we live in these days, kindness is a great thing to pos...

What does fulfillment mean to you? I feel like this is a varied term, as satisfaction levels vary from person to person. Some people are satisfied very easily, while for others, it takes an act of congress to make someone feel good about themselves. I feel though for the folks who are not satisfied easily, it is because they are taking the wrong approach. Often, these kinds of people compare themselves to others in an attempt to imagine how differently their life may have turned out if it were not for this happening etc. Or on the other extreme, for example wondering what they would have/be able to do if they had as much money as the opposing person. I am guilty of this myself. In a way, I think it is only natural to think what if in a general sense. It is interesting and sometimes fun to ponder different things. HOWEVER, if you spend too much time scrolling through Facebook and saying WOW! LOOK AT THAT! I WISH I WERE ABLE TO DO THAT OR TRAVEL THERE! that can catch up to you.. so much...

I am sitting here gazing at the clock on the bottom right hand corner of my computer screen, and it reads 2:12 am. For those of you who are not aware, I am a severe insomniac, but I refuse to take medicine for it. (At least the over the counter kind)because one of the many possible side effects is suicidal tendencies. Been there, done that. Actually, they never go away and resurface at the most inopportune times. Now that I got that out of the way let me also explain that I am creative spirit by nature, and sometimes, I just get rolling with my words at the very peak of the morning, and it is one of the times where I just keep tossing and turning with my thoughts. I am currently working on my life story, but that has been put on the back burner for now, as writer's block is attacking me, and I can't even begin to describe how agitating this is as a writer. Anyway, I figure that writing a blog can only help me re-energize and hone my skills once again. It's a never ending p...

(An open letter to my life) Dear Life: You test me. You test me so much sometimes and in my own daily living that if someone were to ask me what I'd do without all of your challenges, I'd be in a state of stupor. I understand that challenges are a part of living, but don't you think you could lighten the load a little bit? You're causing me to increase my prayers. I pray nightly, but lately, I've been praying two to three times a day. You're making the challenges flow my my tired eyes in the form of free-flowing tears, which in turn make me feel like a zombie the next morning. You have given me a life in which I must live in a wheelchair, where everything aches so much so that it is difficult now as I age to even sit on the floor. I'm exhausted. I feel as though everyday is a marathon. You wear me down. You wind my patience over and over again and it really makes me wonder when thin is too thin. But you know what, life? Throughout the trials and tribulations...

Dear Drew Brees, Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Karla Culbertson. I am 28 years old and from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I live a pretty normal & comfortable life. However, there is one part of my life that separates me from the rest. I am wheelchair dependent due to Cerebral Palsy and premature birth. Even though I face my own set of daily challenges, I don't let my disability bring me down. I am an aspiring inspirational writer, and I am set to have my first book self-published and released on December 11. Enough about me, though, I am writing to celebrate you. Your athleticism, your spirit, and your impact on my life. I guess firstly, though, I should let you know that you are considered one of my heroes in life. I admire you so deeply, your compassion for the game that you play, your free spirit, and the fact that you're such an emotional leader. Much like you, I know that character in the face of adversity can really help overcome challenges. When I read "Co...

Today is Sunday, June 1, 2014. I am turning 30 in 29 days. I turn 30 on June 30. Therefore, it is my golden birthday. I have heard so many people my age say they freak out about turning 30 without being married or having children. I do not wish to have children, as I am almost confident it would be too much of a strain on my body. My body is rather lethargic thanks to my Cerebral Palsy anyway ordinarily, so I really cannot see myself having children. I am single and independent and have been for 7 years now. My feelings about marriage are rather neutral, as finding a man would be a good thing, but I also am the type that refuses to settle. I want the best man for me, and if God forbid, there is not one out there for me, that's OK, too. I am choosing not to freak out about turning 30 without the atypical and aforementioned portions of my life. I am turning 30. I have been alive for nearly three decades. That is a wonderful and monumental feeling. There was a time in my life where I ...