KEEPING IT REAL: Tamsin’s Story, Part Four

KEEPING IT REAL: Tamsin’s Story, Part Four*

By Tamsin Colley

What advice would you give your younger self?

Some advice I would give to my younger self, or anyone else, is to be confident in your abilities. Even if you may not be able to do some things as well as others, you can focus on what you can do well and challenge other people’s perceptions of what people with disabilities can and can’t do!

What do you wish other people knew about what it's like to have cerebral palsy?

I wish that other people would realise that people with cerebral palsy can still succeed academically and in the sporting arena, as well as in all other aspects of life, if people just give them the support they need. It is also important to ask people with cerebral palsy what they need or can or can’t do, as there’s nothing more frustrating than someone doing something for you if you can do it yourself or assuming you can’t do something because of their perceptions of people with a disability!

What advice would you give others with cerebral palsy?

The main advice I would give others with cerebral palsy is to connect with other people with cerebral palsy. My life and wellbeing have become so much better since I met other people with CP through sport. It’s so refreshing connecting with someone who knows what it’s like to have cerebral palsy, and you can share tips with each other on how to best tackle challenges and make the most of your life with your disability!

Is there anything else you'd like to share about yourself?

I really enjoy knitting in my spare time. I don’t have much spare time when I’m not training, doing sport, or studying, but I knit on some Zoom calls and also when I’m watching TV to unwind with my family before bed! I watch one episode most nights of a series (for a series with 7-10 seasons, it may take several months but I like savouring good things!). My favourite genre is comedy and currently I’m rewatching Modern Family! 

I knit scarves and beanies for people close to me, which is one of my ways of showing appreciation. But it takes some time due to my coordination impairments

Catch up with parts one, two, and three of our Q&A with Tasmin! 

*Tamsin'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.