Laura Andert, a 33-year-old woman from St. Paul, Minnesota, USA, has spent her life navigating the challenges and triumphs of living with cerebral palsy. In this deeply personal story, Laura shares her journey of transitioning into adulthood, advocating for her independence and embracing her determination to create the life she envisions.
I am so excited to share with all of you my story of how I have navigated the world with cerebral palsy. Within these last couple of months, I’ve been growing and maturing more in speaking my truth. I believe the way I have chosen to share my story this time around is my most vulnerable version yet.
Transitioning to adulthood with cerebral palsy
After turning 18 years old, my dad and mom told me: “You are now 18. You are an adult. You can do things independently and you need to figure out your future. We will support you, but we are not going to hold your hand and guide you.”
My future was up to me. I knew my parents weren’t being mean, they were stating the truth. I was independent. I could figure out the next steps in what I wanted my future to look like. Well, I had to. My parents were certainly not going to do it for me.
Once I hit 18 years old, it was up to me to create the future I wanted. I sprinted off by persevering and advocating for myself. I spoke up for my needs and made sure they, along with my desires, came true. I thought, “If I don’t take steps to figure things out as I am capable, things will be stagnant in my life.”
Let me tell you, it was not easy. I had a lot of ups and downs but amidst all that, I have become stronger and stronger every single day when I took steps of figuring out things on my own. My obstacles and challenges have become my strengths!
Setting off into the real world, one thing was for sure, I did not want to go to college. College wasn’t a path for me to take. I had an amazing Special Education team from second grade until twelfth grade that made my school journey help me make my learning years successful, but I did not want to continue learning through school.
From getting my first job at age 18 and continuing, I knew I had visions of what I wanted to do and where I wanted to work. By persevering and advocating for myself, those visions have come true.
I did whatever I had to receive the jobs I got. To let companies know who I was, and how much I wanted to work for them. I wasn’t afraid, what did I have to lose? Nothing. I did everything in my power to let companies know exactly who I was. Everything from calling and following up on my applications, emailing staff/managers, and visiting job sites to really show my face to the companies. I do not regret anything that I did to make myself known.
Yes, I had got connected to Job Employment Specialists/Job Coaches during my journey I wanted them to be in the background to support me in anything I needed. Taking matters into my own hands—acting and speaking up on my own terms—is so empowering. It’s like you are respecting yourself and letting others really understand you without anybody’s help (if you don’t need the extra help. My Job Coach today is fabulous in the way she supports me with my job. Whenever I need her, she is there for me.
Accessing transport and communities within Minnesota
Speaking of being persistent and advocating for myself in the work world, I do the same action steps behind the scenes. For example, Transportation has always been a struggle for me. Here in Minnesota, in the Twin Cities, there is a paratransit service called Metro Mobility for people with disabilities and the elderly.
Metro Mobility has been a huge blessing for me to be around in my community independently. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of demands of rides each day, Metro Mobility can be late picking up or dropping you off, which is why I had to figure out other ways to get around.
As I repeat myself, my parents weren’t going to research me, knowing I could do this myself. So, besides Metro Mobility, I have investigated taking Lyft and a taxi company service partnered with Metro Mobility to ride at a discounted rate to get me around town.
My parents would offer to take me short distances for things that would be quick, but as for taking me places at longer distances and at later times, they wanted me to figure out my own transportation to be independent.
I am sure glad I figured out alternate transportation services because a lot of my friends live on the outskirts of the cities. When they are unable to give me rides, I gladly map out my rides to make it work to see them. If I didn’t figure out alternate ways of getting places Metro Mobility can’t travel to, what do I do? Sit and wait and miss out on opportunities, knowing I could have done things differently…?
That’s right! No, I do not. I make things happen!
The power of choice and self-advocacy in shaping my life
As you see, I have knocked down walls to have made things happen and continue to do so. If it wasn’t for me being determined and really speaking up for the things I wanted, my life would look completely different.
People have told me over and over: “Laura, look at where you are today, how far you’ve come. You are so lucky.” I appreciate their praise for me, but I also look them in the eyes and say: “If I didn’t take the steps and speak up for myself, my life would be different.”
Based on being able to do things independently, it all started with a choice I had to make. To let life pass me by waiting for things to happen, or to persevere and advocate for myself for my needs and desires. I chose to take matters into my own hands and go after what I wanted!
A quote I made up: “You are the creator of your own future! No one else will do it for you!”
You can find out more about Laura Andert and her life with cerebral palsy by visiting her Linktree page and following her on LinkedIn.
Laura hopes her story of living with cerebral palsy inspires others to take control of their own lives, regardless of the challenges they face. She believes that everyone has the power to shape their future through perseverance, self-advocacy, and determination. Her message is clear: don’t wait for life to happen – take action, speak up for your needs, and pursue your goals relentlessly. What steps will you take today to start shaping your future?
Let us know in the comments box, on social media or contact us to share your own personal story.