Suhana’s story
At first glance, Suhana is like any other vibrant 15-year-old in Grade 10. She laughs during movie nights with her family, creates paintings that reflect her inner world, dances to the rhythms of Indian classical music, expresses herself through piano playing and is preparing to become a certified lifeguard.
However, Suhana’s story did not begin easily. Born 7 weeks early and weighing just 3 lbs. 2 oz., her parents watched over her tiny frame in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with both love and uncertainty. At 4 months old, they noticed something was not quite right – her right arm was not moving, and her leg seemed unresponsive. A long journey began, starting with a referral from a caring paediatrician at Centenary Hospital, leading them to Grandview Kids, where Suhana would eventually receive a life-changing diagnosis of hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP). An MRI later revealed that both sides of her brain were affected, so her CP condition was likely bilateral from birth.
The early years were the hardest as Suhana could not use her right arm at all. She walked at an angle, her body constantly adjusting to a world that was not built for the way she moved. Speech, occupational and physiotherapy became a full-time commitment, sometimes three to four times a week. To encourage movement in her right hand, they had to cast her left arm for nearly 14 weeks. Even now, her right hand still curls, but she has learned to work with it.
She faced physical hurdles, from toe-lifting struggles to leg length discrepancies, scoliosis and enduring pain from overcompensating posture; but the social ones were just as difficult. In elementary school, she wore an ankle-foot orthotic (AFO) on her right leg. What was meant to improve Suhana’s walking ability also became a social barrier as it was visible, making her “different” from her peers. Climbing stairs was difficult, causing fatigue, so she required the use of her school’s elevators. For some, that was reason enough to treat her difference as undesirable and problematic. Acceptance was not easy. Even teachers sometimes failed to listen or understand. Suhana and her family did not back down and continued to advocate, educate and push for awareness.
As the years passed, Suhana’s management of her daily tasks and the social struggles eased, although not completely, but enough to see change. More students with diverse needs entered the school system. Slowly, things started to shift. High school, by contrast, has been a more inclusive and understanding place. Suhana now uses assistive technology, such as voice-to-text, receives accessible modifications at school and at home, and participates in pool therapy, yoga, and group strengthening sessions. She has also learned to tie her shoelaces, use scissors with adaptive grips and express herself with power and poise.
Perhaps most meaningful to Suhana is the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) at Grandview Kids. This is where Suhana discovered that she had a story that mattered and a voice to be heard. As a YAC member, she volunteers and works to make life better for kids like her and connects with other youth and graduates who understand the complexities of having a disability, like CP.
Living with CP does not define Suhana, but it is part of her journey. She has off days when her legs hurt, and tripping or falling is still a risk she faces. She still battles fatigue and a posture that tries to pull her to the right, but she faces it all with unwavering determination. Suhana has become an artist, a dancer, a future lifeguard, a leader and most importantly, an advocate for inclusion. Suhana’s journey is far from over, but already, she is inspiring change. She reminds us that awareness is not just about understanding what CP is, it is also about creating a world that makes space for all bodies, all abilities and all kinds of strength.
