This month is disability awareness month; and because it’s Halloween, we decided to focus on a client who we’ve served for very long time, has been highlighted in the past and is a big fan of this holiday.

Byron came to MonarchCare when the court appointed us in 2002 as successor guardian due to family circumstances. He was born with cerebral palsy (a chronic neurological disorder) and requires a lot of care due to severe dystonia that causes uncontrollable muscle contractions. His ability to communicate is very limited due to both his physical challenges and intellectual disability, but it is clear he is a sweet man trapped in a very impaired body.

Byron’s birth family are hardly ever seen or heard from; his real family is the daycare program that he has been attending since before we met him. He goes every weekday and is beloved by the administrator, all the staff and his schoolmates. Byron is quite generous; in the past he has saved his personal needs allotment (PNA) from his Medicaid funds to purchase Christmas gifts for his girlfriend and throw parties for everyone at the daycare program. One of those parties was for Halloween, everyone had a wonderful time dressing up for the party and Byron was thrilled that he was the host!

To learn more about cerebral palsy,

visit the United Cerebral Palsy website.