This family drops the disability 'to do' list and loves life

Meet Donna Cappelli, who is mom to Julian, 15, who has cerebral palsy, and his brother Dante, 17, and married to Gerardo. Julian’s greatest challenge is uncontrolled movement, Donna says. “If he tries to do something, his body does the opposite. It’s like him doing a marathon every single day.” For Julian, a soccer enthusiast, therapy doesn’t always translate into positive change. Donna’s advice for other parents? “Try to live your life normally. Try not to get caught up in a lot of the things that you feel you need to do for your child...The best thing for us is when we go and do something for Julian and not worry a day about having to do homework. And not have to do therapy and not have to stretch him out…” Julian’s advice? “It’s okay to be different. Try what you like and it will distract you from your loneliness.” A Family Like Mine is a video series about diverse families raising children with disabilities, produced by BLOOM, a blog on parenting kids with disabilities from Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. Visit us at www.hollandbloorview.ca/bloom