Fourth graders at Lakeville Elementary were treated to a special session during their disability workshop this past week – longtime Oxford Schools employee Sue Enekes spoke about living with cerebral palsy.
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of physical disorders that result from a brain injury or abnormal brain development that can occur at any time during fetal growth, time of birth or the first two to three years of life. Although permanent, the abnormality does not worsen; however, new symptoms may appear or complications may arise over time. CP can affect just a group of muscles to sometimes the entire body, and is often highlighted by incontrollable reflex movements and muscle tightness.
The 38-year-old said she was diagnosed with the disorder as an infant. Today, she is a 14-year-employee of Oxford Schools and has worked as both a lunch room aid and extended day worker.
“I believe I’ve worked at every building in the district,” said Enekes.
“She was our latchkey supervisor for a while,” said Jillian Opalach, a long-term fourth grade substitute at Lakeville Elementary. “We just thought she’d be a great person to present to the kids. She’s a wonderful lady.”
Ms. Enekes spoke to both Opalach and Christine Vince’s fourth grade classes at the invitation of Principal Sharon Karpinski. Enekes said she was more than happy to participate.
“I feel that its important for them to know that disabled people are no different than other people,” she said. “We may walk or talk differently, but we’re still people. We have feelings and are more than just something to laugh at. I just feel that they need to know this from someone with a disability.”
Enekes, who is affected on her left side by CP and wears a brace on her leg to assist with balance, opened her presentation by telling the children in the class she knows that some of them laugh at her and that some of them are afraid of her; however, she emphasized that the children should actually come up and speak to her.
“Come over and say hello to me,” she instructed. “Say hello to others like me. You may find a new friend.”
Enekes talked about her disability and how CP can affect different people in many ways. She said that some people actually become very depressed about their condition.
“I’m very fortunate because of how I can do things on my own,” she explained. “I live on my own, drive a car and have friends.”
Students in both classes asked several questions: Are there any treatments for CP? Can you do stuff like other people, like swimming? Can you go to school? Do you travel anywhere? Can you have a pet?
Enekes answered these questions and many more. She described how she loves sports and enjoys competing in swimming, even traveling for a national competition when she was younger. She added that she has also traveled to many other locations including Hawaii and Vermont, and recently took a cruise with a friend.
“I travel all over the place,” she stated.
A graduate of Oxford, Enekes holds an Associates Degree from Delta College and an Early Childhood Certificate. She is currently working at Clear Lake Elementary with the extended day program.
In the end, the special speaker emphasized the point most important to her about individuals with disabilities:
“I just want everyone to remember that if you see me, stop over and say ‘hi!’” she ended with a smile.