Many people think my daughter is a lot  younger than she really is.  For instance, they think she's no older than ten.  She's very young looking; it's no wonder people have trouble guessing her true age.

They also don't realize just how much she is capable of understanding.  Just because she doesn't talk, they think that she's an imbecile, when she happens to be very smart.

My daughter is eighteen years old, funny, bright, and is able to make her needs/feelings known in ways that I can understand.  Her eyes are very expressive, as is her face; I can read her like a book.  She is very capable of expressing herself beautifully, and with me, there is no second guessing her.

My daughter's name is Yvette.  Yvette Charlene.  Was named after her mother, who died two years ago from breast cancer.  It's just me and her now.  We're a team.

Yvette was born special.  Doctors really don't know what contributed to her having cerebral palsy, but that's okay.  We've managed to get by this far; there's no stopping her!

Yvette cannot walk or talk.  She uses a wheelchair when outside or up for the day.  To communicate she uses her word board; this device has symbols or simple words, and she can point to what she is trying to say.  It's very easy once you figure her system out. 

Yvette can laugh, cry, or get angry just like any normal kid.  She has the teenage angst going on; however, she doesn't stay mad long.  It isn't long before her sunny personality emerges through her sparkling blue eyes or earsplitting smile.  She is very beautiful when she smiles.

Yvette has long, shining brown hair done up in twin pigtails that cascade to her waist.  She is tiny, thin in build, making her appear younger than she really is.  The severity of her CP is evident in her twisted limbs, her herky-jerky movements.  Her body has trouble moving the way it's supposed to because of brain damage.

Yvette tries so hard to move the way she's supposed to, but her brain gets mixed up somehow.  This is where she has problems.  She tries so hard to relax; she tries to accomplish any goal with bulldog tenacity, and it makes me proud to see her determined spirit.

People often feel sorry for her because she is so handicapped.  I see past the disability:  I see a child/woman who is very determined, courageous, a child/woman who loves to laugh, have fun. 

She doesn't feel sorry for herself; why should I (or others)?  As long as I let her try to do things, I see no problem in letting her go out with friends or enjoying the things normal teenage girls do.

Things like listening to music (when she dances, she laughs jovially, and I practically have to hold her wheelchair down), talking about boys or the latest fashions, or discussing where she wants to go to college upon graduating from high school in a few years.

People tend to underestimate my daughter; worse, they stare, point fingers in her direction.  It makes me very uncomfortable because they don't understand her disability (nor do they want to).  They think she is incapable of doing anything, which drives me crazy. 

My daughter may do things differently than most kids, but she is able to do whatever she chooses in life!

I wish more people could see the "real" Yvette Charlene Cranston, not just what is on the outside.  They need to look past her flaws, see her capabilties as I do whenever I look at Yvette.

I see a young woman who can communicate, dance, laugh or cry, read, joke around, get straight A's in all of her subjects, and possesses a gifted mind.  She has much potential, and I plan on giving her all the opportunities in the world in order for her to succeed in life!

God has given me a miracle in this child.  I don't plan on wasting any opportunities for her:  she can do whatever she chooses, and I believe that with help, she can, will succeed!!