Cedric Walker - Children's Hospitals Family Advocacy Day 2008

My Visit to Capitol Hill

The visit went well. I hope I got my point across. I saw Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton and we took pictures. Lets see if we get the appropriate actions taken.

The proposed cuts to Medicaid services affect my ability to be a productive citizen. Here is a video of what Medicaid cuts would mean to me.

About the Party

The party was a great sucess and I had alot of fun. The people I met were really nice. I enjoyed the conversation I had and the many people I encountered, but most of all I enjoyed the awesome friends I met. We traded cards and email addresses. I hope to be hearing from them soon.

My First Day of Family Advocacy Day

Pictures of My First Day

Click photo to enlarge

Today has been a busy day. I did some radio interviews this morning. I also met other kids here for Family Advocacy and learned more about how to advocate on behalf of HSC.

Today was the first time I heard that Congress was considering cuts to Medicaid which pays for my therapy and equipment that helps me be a productive citizen.

Tomorrow I am planning to tell Congress how important Medicaid is and that they should not cut it.

My Radio Interview Experience

This morning I was interviewed by multiple radio stations. Here's a picture of me sharing my story with them and telling them why I'm part of N.A.C.H. Family Advocacy Day.

 

Debating

I like debating, its a recreation thing for me. Although it was just a class, it is very constructive. It builds up your confidence to be able to speak around large crowds and builds friendships.

My Film

Towards the end of September my instructor, MS. Sharon Quick, announced that our class would be participating in the Prime Movers program.

On the first day, a man named Felix Contreras, an employee at National Public Radio in D.C. had been assigned to us. The class had been broken up according to topic. Then, Mr. Contreras asked me what topic I wanted to do my film on. I proposed the idea of wheelchair access issues in Washington, DC, schools, won an award from National Public Radio.

How HSC Has Helped Me...

When I was younger, my case worker recommended that my mother take me to HSC. Since then, they have helped me on a number of levels. I remember being about 3 and 4 years old and I really couldn’t sit up on my own. If it wasn’t for the therapists at HSC then I wouldn’t be able to do that.

I would not have been able to stand and walk with a walker had it not been for HSC. And I would not have this chair if it had not been for the equipment clinic that they have.

So HSC has impacted my life very much.

Living with Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy (CP) has been both a challenge and a friend to me. When has CP been a friend to me, some people might ask? Well, my condition has always pushed me to do more and expand my outlook on life. I've learned how important loving and enjoying life is. The challenges of having CP may seem insurmountable, but there is a champion in eveyone.

Hello, I'm Cedric

Hi.

Ever since I was little I've always liked music, especially Bob Marley. I have almost all of his CD's. I also like martial arts. Bruce Lee is the best!

I have a family of six. My mother, Yvette; my big brother, DaJuan; my two sisters, Marketta & Nettina; and my sister's children, Markeis & Ladarius.

My hobbies are the debate team and media arts. I can't wait to be off to college majoring in math and psychology.

If you have any comments please post them here.

Thanks!

Take a Journey with Cedric Walker

Beginning Monday, June 9, follow 15-year-old Cedric Walker of Washington, DC, as he blogs about his life with cerebral palsy and how HSC Pediatric Center in Washington helped him achieve greater independence.

Cedric also will blog about his upcoming visit to Capitol Hill on June 18-19, where he will join more than 29 families at the National Association of Children’s Hospital's Family Advocacy Day. He and his family will meet with lawmakers about the importance of high-quality specialized care at the nation's children's hospitals and access for children with special health care needs.

There is little doubt Cedric will have trouble making his point in such visits. He has become an accomplished speaker, who is a member of the debate team at Roosevelt High School, and has experience testifying before local government officials on behalf of children and young adults with disabilities.

The blog will be active for a limited time, with Cedric's final entry scheduled on June 23. Please subscribe to the blog or visit daily, and share your thoughts and encouragement.

Thank you!