CP Teens UK Stories
Hannah, age 16-years
"I have made some amazing friends thanks to CP Teens UK. I feel accepted. My confidence has really grown & I feel happier."
Sophie
Sophie was 21 when she first found CP Teens UK. Sophie has athetoid Cerebral Palsy and uses a powered wheelchair.
Growing up, she often felt isolated. She had friends, went to university and enjoyed being independent, but there were still experiences that felt isolating in ways able-bodied peers around her didn’t always understand.
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“Sometimes it’s exhausting trying to fit in and keep up,” she says.
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After university, Sophie struggled with how suddenly support seemed to disappear once she aged out of children’s services. A lot of social opportunities for disabled people felt either very clinical or aimed at much older adults.
Sophie then came across CP Teens UK through searching online for groups and support. She was keen to get involved, although she felt nervous about getting in touch. “I was worried everyone would already know each other,” she laughs. “But within about ten minutes of joining an online social, someone was already helping me judge everyone’s terrible music choices.”
Sophie especially enjoys the more relaxed social side of things - long chats, laughing at mishaps and sharing experiences.
She says one of the biggest things CP Teens UK gave her was the feeling of not having to constantly explain her needs, fatigue or awkward public interactions. “You can just turn up and exist as yourself. That’s actually really rare.”
Outside of CP Teens UK, Sophie works part-time in digital marketing, loves live music, and is slightly obsessed with houseplants - although, according to her friends, she has officially run out of room for any more!
For Sophie, CP Teens UK has never been about being “different”. It’s simply been about finding community, friendship and spaces where disabled young people can feel comfortable being themselves
Jasmine
Jasmine first connected with CP Teens UK during lockdown, while spending a long period in hospital.
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Jasmine lives with Cerebral Palsy and Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) - a neurological condition that affects how the brain sends and receives signals, which causes a wide range of physical symptoms.
Finding CP Teens UK gave Jasmine something she had been missing: people who understood. Since then, CP Teens UK has become a huge part of Jasmine’s life. She’s attended countless events and initiatives over the years, regularly travelling from the London area to Derbyshire and Sheffield for the day because, in her words, “it’s so worth it.”
“This charity has been a lifeline for me. CP Teens UK does so much to make sure young people like me don’t feel alone.”
For Jasmine, being part of CP Teens UK has meant friendship, community and the confidence to try new things in an environment where she feels accepted and supported.
One of those things has been Frame Running. Jasmine found Frame Running through CP Teens UK. She quickly found a real enjoyment from it, got her own frame and started using it regularly.
In 2026, Jasmine decided she wanted to take part in the Sponsored Wobble using her Frame Runner. Completing the 5k route at Chatsworth in mixed weather conditions, Jasmine also raised an amazing £575 for CP Teens UK.
At the finish line, Jasmine was presented with the CP Teens UK Diamond Award, recognising not just her Sponsored Wobble achievement, but for her true grit and determination for everything she has pushed through in recent years, as well as her involvement within the charity
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Jasmine’s story shows how important it is for young disabled people to have spaces where they feel understood, included and able to be themselves
Leo
Leo first came across CP Teens UK after seeing a post online about one of the charity’s online meets - Chit & Chat. At the time, he was 15 and had slowly stopped joining in with things outside of school.
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Living with hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy, Leo often found social situations difficult as peers often ignored him. He worried about people staring when he walked, asking awkward questions, or assuming he didn't understand. Over time, he found himself avoiding activities altogether and spending most of his time gaming at home instead.
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Joining the first CP Teens UK Chit & Chat session felt like a big step. “I remember thinking I’d stay for five minutes and then leave,” Leo said. “But everyone was just… really nice and fun. We were all really similar."
Leo's first Chit & Chat session led to another, and then another. Eventually, Leo joined in-person events too - something he never saw himself doing.
Since getting involved with CP Teens UK, Leo has met other young disabled people with similar experiences, built friendships and grown in confidence. He’s taken part in disability sports days, social events and fundraising activities, but for him the biggest change has been feeling less isolated.
“At school, I’m usually the only disabled person in the room. At CP Teens UK, I don’t have to explain myself all the time.”
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Now 17, Leo is studying media at college and hopes to work in gaming or digital design in the future. He still loves gaming at home, but says CP Teens UK helped him realise he didn’t have to figure everything out on his own.
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“Before CP Teens UK, I didn’t really know any other young people with Cerebral Palsy. Now I do - and that’s made a massive difference.”
Molly
Molly has Cerebral Palsy and has participated in many CP Teens UK initiatives. In March 2022, Molly attended the CP Teens UK 'Have A Go' Sports Day in Sheffield. Molly came with her parents & tried Frame Running.
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Molly said, "I tried really hard and my Mum & Dad were really taken aback by it!". Molly's parents thought it could be a great form of exercise for her, whilst providing a new pastime & opportunities for independent walking.
Molly's parents managed to secure funding for a running frame of her very own thanks to a very generous firefighter charity local to the family.
Molly received her running frame in September 2022 & hasn't looked back since! Molly said, "My Mum and Dad can’t believe how quickly I’ve taken to it, I’ve even picked up some speed and I have used my bell and hand brake a little. I can’t thank you enough for giving me the experience and introducing me to Frame Running CP Teens UK, you are truly inspirational."
Molly's Mum said, "If it wasn't for CP Teens UK and your amazing event this wouldn’t have happened for Molly".
Matthew
Matt is 24-years-old and has Quadriplegic Dystonia, which is similar to Cerebral Palsy, as a result of an Acquired Brain Injury when he was 10-years-old.
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Matt first got involved with CP Teens UK when he was 16-years-old when he joined CP Teens UK Frame Running sessions.
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Matt was a very under-confident, shy young man who had to be very much persuaded to join in with CP Teens UK. His Mum, Sarah, managed to persuade Matt to come to the inaugural CP Teens UK Ball in 2015, which was the turning point for Matt.
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Ever since, Matt has been a constant figure in CP Teens UK, he has grown in confidence, he is a huge role model to other youngsters like him, and he even spoke so confidently at the 2022 CP Teens UK Ball via his AAC device about his journey.
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In 2020, Matt made history by being the first person to Frame Run the London Marathon. Matt has also run 10k's and half marathons on his Frame Runner for CP Teens UK.
Aisha
Aisha has quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy and is a full-time wheelchair user. She communicates using AAC with eye gaze technology.
Growing up, Aisha and her family felt a lot of activities and spaces simply weren’t designed with young people like Aisha in mind.
Her mum says one of the hardest parts wasn’t just the physical barriers - it was the assumptions people made about her.
“People often spoke to the person with Aisha, or about Aisha, instead of to her,” she explains. “Or they assumed she wouldn’t enjoy things because she won't understand.”
When Aisha first joined a CP Teens UK Chit & Chat session, her mum wasn't sure what to expect as she was unsure of how Aisha would be able to meaningfully join in being an AAC user. But for the first time in a long time, Aisha said she "had found a space where AAC didn’t need explaining."
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Aisha's mum said, "There was no pressure for Aisha to communicate in a certain way or join in like everyone else. She could take part however worked for her - whether that was through eye gaze, reactions, laughter or simply being present."
Aisha then attended an in-person CP Teens UK social. “For once, she wasn’t the only wheelchair user in the room. That meant more than people probably realise. ​Disabled young people with complex needs are so often left out of teenage spaces and experiences. CP Teens UK made Aisha feel welcomed exactly as she is.”
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CP Teens UK also became a place where Aisha’s parents could meet other families who understood the realities of caring, hospital appointments, equipment struggles and fighting to access support.
Rebekah
Rebekah is 21-years-old and has Cerebral Palsy. Rebekah first got involved with CP Teens UK when she decided to join 'Chit & Chat' - our online fortnightly social sessions. Ever since, Rebekah has joined in with so many CP Teens UK initiatives and says she "doesn't know where I'd be without CP Teens!".
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Rebekah said, "I've made so many friends and the annual Ball is my favourite - it's the best night ever!".
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From London Zoo, to dancing at the Ball, to chatting away from the sofa on 'Chit & Chat', Rebekah said, "I have taken part in so many great events! Here is to many more amazing events! Well done CP Teens UK & Ellie, you do an amazing job."
Benjamin
Ben was 14 when he first came to a CP Teens UK event.
He has dystonic Cerebral Palsy and uses a wheelchair most of the time, although he can walk short distances with support. At school, Ben often felt caught between worlds - not always fitting in with able-bodied peers, but also not really knowing other young people with Cerebral Palsy or physical disabilities either.
Sport has always been a huge interest of Ben's, especially football, but taking part was complicated. Ben's experience was that many clubs and activities focused on what disabled young people couldn’t do rather than adapting things so everyone could join in.
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Ben attended a CP Teens UK Have A Go Sports Day after spotting the event online. His mum admits they were both nervous.
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“He worries a lot about being judged,” she says. “Especially because his movements and speech can be affected when he’s tired or anxious.”
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"But the atmosphere felt different almost immediately.
Nobody stared if Ben’s movements were unpredictable. Nobody rushed him when he spoke. And nobody treated him like he was younger than he was - something that constantly happens."
From the CP Teens UK Have A Go Day, Ben discovered power chair football and was introduced to a club 40 minutes from his home where he now goes weekly. One of his favourite memories to date is scoring his first goal. "Ben talks about it constantly now - he scored what he describes as “the best goal ever,”.
Ben’s confidence has grown a lot since joining the club, particularly socially. His mum says she’s noticed he’s more willing to try new things and less anxious about meeting people.
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For Ben, though, the biggest thing has simply been friendship.
“Everyone’s disabilities are different, but people just get it here. You don’t have to explain everything.”
Now 16, Ben is studying sports coaching at college and hopes to work in inclusive sport in the future. He still loves football, still argues passionately about his team every weekend, and still talks about his first ever goal.
Charlotte
Charlotte is 19-years-old. She has Cerebral Palsy & an hearing impairment. When Charlotte was around 13-years-old, she started to struggle socially as a result of he disability.
Charlotte's Mum, Jane, said, "Charlotte has Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy as well as difficulties with her hearing. When she turned 13-14, she was struggling to fit in more with her able-bodied peers due to her disability. I did some Googling and I discovered CP Teens UK.
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I signed up Charlotte straight away to 'CP Teens UK Chat'. Through this service she's met a couple of wonderful friends who share Charlotte's struggles. I also took Charlotte to one of the CP Teens UK 'Social Series' which was fantastic - she met new friends who immediately 'got her' over a pizza and a game of bowling, all funded by CP Teens UK.
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I am now looking at attending the annual CP Teens UK Ball with Charlotte and my partner. Thank you CP Teens UK for helping Charlotte's confidence and self-esteem, and for giving her much needed friendships!".