Lee student raises awareness for cerebral palsy on campus
Hope Feil. Photo by Senior Photographer Isaac Vacheresse
On Oct. 28, Lee students wore shades of green in advocacy for cerebral palsy. Hope Feil, a freshman youth ministry major at Lee who is a part of the cerebral palsy community and passionate about giving cerebral palsy students a voice, started this student-led initiative.
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders, cerebral palsy is a number of neurological disorders that appear in infancy or early childhood and permanently affects body movement and muscle coordination.
Feil consistently pushes herself to do what she loves, like running and remaining active, despite living with cerebral palsy affecting her right leg and wrist.
“The thing is, it’s not curable, so we’ll always have it for the rest of our lives,” said Feil. “One thing we get better at, by not weakening so much, is exercising, and I love to run. I run pretty much every single day, and I try to do it before my classes. That way, I have my exercise in for the day, and I don’t feel so weak by the end of the day.”
Feil expressed her ongoing passion for speaking out in support of cerebral palsy and those with other disabilities. She believes that in using her voice, she is following God’s call on her life.
“I feel like I have a voice, and I want to be able to use it, and I feel like God is telling me not only to be a youth pastor and share the name of Jesus to people but to also help the disabled community and to know that we are all loved,” said Feil.
Feil has been advocating for her community since her freshman year of high school, and the support grew each year. When arriving at Lee, Feil wanted to continue the advocacy but was uncertain of the response.
“I kind of wanted to do this here at Lee, but I also had that negative side saying it’s also different from a university to a high school,” said Feil. “I don’t know everyone. I’m a freshman, so what can it be? I actually was not going to do it, but more of my friends heard about it and said, ‘No, we’re going to do it and help you share this,’ and we ended up making flyers the night before I posted them.”
Katelyn Scheffer, a freshman biological science pre-physical therapy major, is a friend of Feil who supports the cause of starting advocacy on Lee’s campus.
“[Feil’s] life and testimony point to the work God has done in her life, and she won’t let the trials she has faced and continues to face stop her from spreading the joy of Jesus,” said Scheffer. “I am so thankful that I got to help and support her as she raised awareness for something that is so important for her and has now become so dear to my heart as well because of Hope’s passion and inspiration.”
Feil created an Instagram post on Oct. 26, calling Lee to collectively engage in awareness, support and dialogue for the cerebral palsy community. Feil gave out more than 200 green bandanas to students on campus participating in ‘Green Day.’
“I felt so loved. My smile was so big on Thursday, and it was a chapel day too, and I loved seeing half the chapel wearing green, and I met so many new people,” said Feil.
Feil’s post for advocacy impacted many people within the Lee community, especially junior health administration major Cameron Smart. Smart is also part of the cerebral palsy community and said he felt supported after seeing students engage in the cause.
“I talked with [Feil] a little bit. [She] and I have the same condition, and I thought that was pretty cool,” said Smart. “I have mild right cerebral palsy, and she said she had the same thing as me.”
Smart said many people do not notice his disability nor assume he is part of the cerebral palsy community.
“So basically, it affects the right side of my body, and I have a very mild condition,” said Smart. “You can’t really tell that much unless I tell you about it. I’ve had a lot of surgeries and a lot of physical therapy.”
Before Lee, Smart overcame many struggles to play the sports he loves. Smart felt he had to work harder than everyone else, not only to match their intensity but to compete.
“I worked twice as hard just to be on the level they’re on, and then four times as hard just to be better than them,” said Smart. “I’m proud of myself for doing that.”
Through Feil’s post, Smart and Feil connected, sharing stories and experiences of growing up with cerebral palsy.
“I really didn’t know anyone else had cerebral palsy at Lee before Hope,” Smart said. “It’s cool to know that there are other people with cerebral palsy at Lee.”
Smart hopes the Lee community will continue to engage with student activism and awareness.
“Accommodate the best you can to everyone’s needs, whether that be cerebral palsy or anything else,” said Smart.
Feil plans to continue advocating for students with cerebral palsy, or any other forms of disabilities. Feil wants to continue to share people’s stories and support those on campus who need awareness.
“This is the beginning, and I’m really happy, and I want to do it every year and do something a little more every year. Maybe do bracelets and hand them out,” said Feil. “I want to start small and grow every year.”
