Hi! My name is Colton McGrath, and I am thirteen years old. I love my family, my two dogs, Checkers and Chelsea, sports and computers. I have Cerebral Palsy and it affects my life in many ways. I created this website, ColtonCares, with the help of my Mom and StepDad, to communicate with and hopefully help or inspire other people with disabilities. I also hope to educate others so they can be more accepting and understanding of those of us who have a disability or special needs. I began talking to my classmates about my condition at a young age in an effort to help them understand why I talked and walked a little differently, why I wore leg braces, etc. I hope to continue to educate others throughout the rest of my life, because I think it is important that people understand that those of us with special needs are just like everybody else in many ways. Cerebral Palsy is only part of who I am. I love my life, in spite of the challenges I face, and despite them, I am lucky in many ways.

       I have had to work really hard to get to where I am today. I’ve worked hard in therapy, and I’ve had to work extra hard to meet goals that usually come easily to kids my age. Sometimes I get frustrated, but I never give up.

       There are many types of cerebral palsy, and I have friends in wheelchairs who cannot talk, but who use other methods of communication. I hope I can be a voice for those who may not be able to express themselves, and that people can learn something from my experiences, and that we can all treat each other with kindness and respect, despite our differences.