KEEPING IT REAL: Hunter’s Story

We're continuing to amplify the voices of the cerebral palsy community. Check out Hunter's story.

KEEPING IT REAL: Hunter's Story*
By Hunter Dunn

Hey! I'm Hunter.

I was born with severe Athetoid CP. I cannot walk, talk or use my arms; three ways that my body will not work. I have an eye-gaze computer to "type'' and "speak" which is great, when I have the computer with me. The other times, people say the alphabet and I move my eyes when the desired letter is said.

There are three special women in my life. I have an older sister, Brooke. She is one of the most beautiful women I know, along with my mom and sitter, Kitty. Dad is my primary caretaker. He handles my toiletry business, dresses me, and lifts me in and out of my wheelchair. I live with my parents and Kitty comes three days per week to give my parents (and I) a break.

I have published three things. I’ve written two holiday-themed children's books, A Winter's Dream and The Claus Chronicles.  Also, I released a self-titled hard rock EP under the name The Hunter Dunn Project. 

I have had three hip surgeries (one fell apart), two lung surgeries, one leg surgery, a back fusion, and throat surgery at Duke University Medical Center. As for the number of times in the hospital, thanks to my lungs, we have all lost count. 

The number three is part of the number of years that I have loved pro-wrestling (since I was 34 months old)!  Now, I am 36, another number with a three. I guess it’s in my blood. Maybe one day, I will get to attend a WrestleMania, as that is very high on my bucket list!

Scott is my best friend. We have known one another for over 30 years (yet another three-related number). He takes me out in my van to various places, like the movies.  I enjoy laughing with Scott, as well as listening to music, meeting new people, reading fantasy novels, and learning. 

In fact, I graduated number three in my high-school class.

Three.  Three seems to be the magic number, so I cannot help but to wonder what will come next.  Regardless, of what it may be, I bet it will have something to do with “three.”

*Hunter's story is part of KEEPING IT REAL — a series of personal stories that will take you deeper into the lives of people with CP. Each person makes different choices based on what works for them, and we’ll showcase that — highlighting what life is like for them on a daily basis, what they care about, and the ways CP impacts them. 

The KEEPING IT REAL blog is intended solely to raise awareness about the varied human experience with cerebral palsy and shouldn't be read or construed to contain any medical advice or medical endorsement by Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation. Only you and your doctor know what's best for you. Please consult your doctor for medical advice.