A Paralympian and Physician, Dr. Cheri Blauwet Shares Her Path to Motherhood
As a young woman with right-side hemiparesis that greatly impairs my strength on the entire right side of my body, I have often wondered about becoming a parent. On some days, I am sure that I will one day find a loving spouse that will help me adapt to parenthood in a way that is unique and suitable to my needs. On other days, I despair about the inevitable shortcomings that will come as I enter motherhood. How will I be able to properly care for my child?
I think a lot of my anxiety boils down to a lack of representation in the disabled community. When is the last time you saw a mother in a wheelchair rolling down the streets? When is the last time you opened a magazine or browsed the internet and found tips about adapting houses for an impending child specifically catered to people with physical mobility problems? I never have seen such representation, and I didn’t actively realize it until I was listening to Dr. Cheri Blauwet as a guest on Ming Michelle Canaday’s podcast.
Blauwet’s life outside motherhood is inspiring; from becoming a Paralympian to the first graduating wheelchair-user of Stanford Medical School, she has constantly pushed the limits and become a notable figure of representation because of it.
When it came time to become a mother, Blauwet shared the process she went through with her husband to prepare for the new chapter of their lives.
Step one? Blauwet suggested an in-depth conversation with a medical professional to talk through possibilities and recommendations. This is especially important within the disabled community, where various disabilities will interact with childbirth differently.
Step two? Based on her own experiences, Blauwet conveyed the importance of becoming a part of a community of moms with disabilities that can share vital insider tips and experiences. While people within the disabled community can feel isolated on their path to becoming moms, it’s important to remember that someone has already done it and is willing to help. From such a community, Blauwet received a wide variety of tips for bathing, feeding, and constructing cribs that allowed greater accessibility.
Step three? Using that newfound knowledge from a supportive community, Blauwet said that her and her husband arranged furniture and bought accessible pieces that were assembled and ready when they brought their baby home. She reminded Canaday and viewers that besides the necessary new equipment meant to be uniquely accessible and more in-depth reflections on items like strollers and car seats, her first months of motherhood were much like anyone else’s. She cherished moments and adapted as was necessary to make things work for her.
Lost in my own anxiety, I often forget that motherhood is a scary concept for every future mother, not just those within the disabled community. In the nine months leading up to their child’s birth, everyone seeks out a wide variety of advice and spends hours poring over articles. Those in the disabled community aren’t any different, but representation is low. We need to work on creating more content for expecting mothers with disabilities and highlight communities that can answer pressing questions.
Written by Ryan Trombly
Ryan Trombly was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy when she was eighteen months old. The disability causes right-side hemiparesis that affects the entire right side of her body, weakening her muscles and limiting her mobility in everyday activities. Despite this, Ryan has strived to live a normal, independent life without any barriers and hopes to use her voice to advocate for the disabled community.
Comments