I like singing and have been told I’m good at karaoke. At the moment my favourite singer is Shane Ward. I want other young people to know these things about me. I might have to do some things differently but I’m still a normal person behind this chair. I get angry and frustrated when people think I can’t do anything or when I hear pity or know I’m being treated differently. Most of time I don’t think about it until someone reminds me in these ways. Then I feel different. My parents and siblings treat me normally but when I meet people, even people I’ve met before, they often act in a way that makes me want to shout “For goodness sake I’m just a normal girl!”

I have Cerebral palsy which is caused by damage to the control areas of my brain. It’s likely to occur when in the womb or during birth but anyone can get it at any time. I got it from a routine tonsillitis operation when I was 5. I lost a lot of blood and the lack of oxygen to my brain damaged my cells. Some recovered, some never will. I still remember being able bodied and walking happy and free. I was born in Yemen, but because there wasn’t the medical care for me there, my parents decide to move to the UK so I could have a better quality of life. I appreciate how they did this and how they love and support me.

Naturally it can get me down thinking about it and how it affects the way people react towards me. I see my sisters and wish I was like them, wish I could change things sometimes. But I know that’s not going to happen. Other times I’m happy the way I am and it’s okay to be this way. I’ve got support from family and friends and staff and carers that I like. If I need help with anything there are people around me to help. If I imagine my situation 100 years ago, there wouldn’t be the same amount of things to support me. No good wheelchairs, facilities or access to the world like I have. Soon I’m going to visit family in Yemen! Being around now isn’t so bad and hopefully in the future it will be a lot better.

When I leave school I want to go to college and probably Uni. I’d like to learn a few more languages and get a job as a translator. I’ve heard it pays well…which is good to know as it will keep me in new clothes!

By Safa Mohammad