“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single talent left and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me.’” —Erma Bombeck

My name is Mitchelle Monroe and I am a 17-year-old student at William H. Turner Tech in Miami, FL. I have a disorder that inhibits me from walking long distances, so I use a wheelchair at school to get around. My school has not provided me with a bus equipped with a wheelchair lift, so I am forced to leave my wheelchair at school all year. Not being able to have my chair with me at home has been a big problem for me. I’m not able to go out or enjoy my life as a teenage girl should. Using this website, I will be fundraising to buy a new wheelchair so I can have access to one both at home and at school.

In the first grade, I was diagnosed with a disease known as Spastic Diplegic Cerebral Palsy. This disorder occurs when the portion of the brain that controls movement is damaged or develops abnormally. It usually occurs before birth or during brain development. This rare genetic disorder characterized by slow progressive weakness, decreased muscle tone, and stiffness of leg muscles.

As I grow older, my disorder keeps me from being able to do many activities that a normal person may be able to do. As a 17-year-old, I am unable to walk long distances without feeling pain in my feet and back. Although I can walk, I must use my wheelchair most of the time. This disorder has been a source of discouragement for me because of the constant limitations that I have to face. It makes me feel isolated from my peers during activities since I have a limited ability to participate. I also feel saddened and overwhelmed at the depressing thought that, in the future, I may be permanently confined to a wheelchair. Still, I try to stay positive. As John J. Marine said, “Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.”

I know that I can accomplish anything with hard work and motivation. In elementary school, I struggled with reading. The subject was very perplexing to me. For many years, my school counselor would take me out of class, working with me to sharpen my reading skills. By the time I reached 6th grade, I began picking out large-sized chapter books and reading them to myself with ease. I try to remind myself of overcoming that obstacle when I’m facing a challenge, and believe that when life gives you a thousand reasons to cry, you must show life that you have a thousand reasons to smile and do better.

My friends and family would describe me as a kind, caring, and sweet person. I may seem like a naïve person at first, but once you get to know me, you’ll realize that I know a lot. I am a young artist and I enjoy reading, writing, and living my life to the fullest. I am a great friend who would do anything for the people closest to me. I always do what I can to help and am great a giving advice to those in need. I just have to remember to take my own advice: to never give up, stay positive, and that it is okay to ask for help.

Thank you for helping me raise money for my wheelchair.

Sincerely,
Mitchelle Monroe & Family