Grace & Melissa: A CP Teens UK Friendship

CP Teens UK is all about connecting youngsters who have cerebral palsy and similar physical disabilities. Since 2013, connections and friendships have formed from north to south, and east to west. Melissa & Grace both have cerebral palsy and met through CP Teens UK.

The pair are now best friends and meet up as often as they can despite living miles apart and they speak every day. Melissa says, “We met via CP Teens UK at a crucial point of growing up. Neither of us had anyone who we could talk to about what it was like being a teenager, sitting exams, and figuring out what life actually looked like with cerebral palsy.”

At the time, Melissa was travelling to Ireland for therapy, which is where Grace lives. “It felt like we were destined to meet each other. Grace and I are like sisters now. Friendship can be really difficult to navigate when you are disabled so I am really grateful to have met Grace in a time where I really needed a friend.”

Grace says, “Meeting my closest friend, Melissa, through CP Teens UK has changed my life completely. I am very proud to be Melissa’s friend and she is very important to me.”

The timing of meeting her was perfect as I was going through loneliness as a young disabled teenager, and really needed someone who I could talk to and trust who was my own age. Our friendship isn’t solely focused on disability, which I cherish, and to me, Melissa is not only a best friend, but considered a sister to me. Being a young person with a disability is very isolating at times, and I’m glad to have Melissa to discuss everything from disability to Taylor Swift drama with.”

Grace also added, “CP Teens UK has not only assisted me in finding my closest friend, but it has also made me feel less isolated in my challenges of having cerebral palsy and the experience of being a physically disabled person. They recognise people with cerebral palsy for who they truly are.”