KEEPING IT REAL: Jerusha’s Story

STEM Changemaker and World CP Day Ambassador Jerusha Mather is already making a difference.  Discover what motivates her.

KEEPING IT REAL: Jerusha's Story
By Jerusha Mather

What is your biggest passion? What makes you pursue it?
I am MOST passionate about neuroscience and writing poetry. My experiences motivated me to pursue it. I love the idea that activating my creativity can make a difference in someone’s life. Many thanks for the opportunity to share my story with you all.

What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of?
I am doing my PhD in Medical and Biological Sciences answering whether strength training can improve neuromuscular and motor function in adults with cerebral palsy. I helped secure a $90,000 grant to help kickstart my research. I would like to thank Cerebral Palsy Alliance for this funding. I have traveled to many countries and seen many interesting things and experienced different cultures, which was really enjoyable.

I have written a poetry book and am in the middle of getting it published. You can follow @jerushamather on Instagram to read my poetry and keep up to date with my journey.

I am working with someone from the Australian Medical Association to change selection criteria for entry into medical school and ensure that no discrimination occurs in the future for students that would like to pursue a career in medicine.

These experiences are what I am most proud of. 

What do you hope to achieve in the future?
Either become a postdoctoral researcher or rehabilitation physician / clinician researcher depending on the opportunities that arise. I also want to go somewhere big with my poetry. Perhaps reading my poetry to an international audience. Following the footsteps of Rupi Kaur and Courtney Peppernell.

I am still single. So perhaps I would even consider having a meaningful relationship with someone (down the track).

How does cerebral palsy affect your daily life and the choices that you make?
Cerebral palsy does not affect my daily life and the choices I make. I carry out most of daily activities independently. I sometimes have to do things differently but I certainly get the job done and do it to a high standard. I think that some parts of society can be more inclusive towards people with a disability.  Our attitudes towards difference need to change.

Life can get pretty lonely and challenging at times. However, we need to focus on the positive experiences life can bring. This is what leads to true happiness and personal growth. 

We need to reflect, grow, and learn. Expanding our knowledge bank and developing new skills. 

What are some things you wish people knew about cerebral palsy?
People with cerebral palsy move differently. However in most cases, it does not affect their intelligence. Exercise is an excellent activity for people with cerebral palsy, as it is for everyone. People with CP have the equal right to choice and control over their life.

*Jerusha'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.