The Friendship Garden: Growing Up with Cerebral Palsy - Paperback

Matthews, Daphne: - Daphne Matthews was born at Mott Children's Hospital at the University of Michigan in 1999. She and her identical twin sister, Phoebe, arrived early-Daphne weighing 2 pounds 4 ounces, and Phoebe just 1 pound 12 ounces. They were monoamniotic monochorionic twins, meaning they shared one placenta but had separate umbilical cords. Both were also diagnosed with twin-to-twin transfusion. As an infant, Daphne's brain scan showed periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), a condition that indicated cerebral palsy. She began physical therapy right away. By toddlerhood, she could knee-walk, and at age three and a half she underwent a selective dorsal rhizotomy, a spinal surgery that allowed her to begin walking just four months later. When she was 17, Daphne received a baclofen pump to help manage spasticity. Daphne attended Ann Arbor Public Schools, later graduating from Washtenaw Community College with an associate's degree in early childhood education. She went on to study at Eastern Michigan University, spending time in classrooms with children and teachers. Along the way, Daphne realized that being a teacher with cerebral palsy would be challenging. Still, she knows there are many ways to help children and families learn and grow-both inside and outside the classroom.Through her journey, Daphne has learned that no two people with cerebral palsy are alike. Each child's situation is unique, but all children share the need to be included, supported, and celebrated for what they can do.Matthews, Phoebe: - Twin sisters Daphne and Phoebe Matthews grew up in Ann Arbor after being born nearly conjoined at U-M's Mott Children's Hospital. Daphne, who has cerebral palsy, works as a preschool educator and shares her experiences with honesty and warmth. Phoebe, a graphic design graduate, illustrates their debut children's book. Together, they use their story to foster empathy, inclusion, and understanding.