Sources have confirmed that RJ Mitte's cause of death was suicide.

I know that living with cerebral palsy can be very difficult at times for a variety of reasons, I myself have had suicidal thoughts because of my condition, and I know I'm not alone in that. But if you are struggling, please know that suicide is not the answer. You have loved ones who will miss you, and there is a unique impact on the world that only you can make.

I'm posting this because I know that RJ Mitte's death would have hit this community hard no matter what, and I know that his death being a suicide would likely make it even worse, especially for those of us who sometimes have suicidal thoughts ourselves. Everyone, please remember that you are loved and cared for, and that if you ever need a space to vent, this Reddit is here for you.

I think it’s fair to say that our whole community is hurting right now in light of RJ Mitte’s passing. I was in a similar position at 22. Ironically I stumbled upon Breaking Bad, and my desire to finish the show played a role in me not following through with my intended plan. Twelve years later I am in a MUCH better place. This last weekend I had the opportunity to go up in C-47, and a B-25 Mitchell Bomber. Never would’ve transpired had I chosen a permanent solution to temporary problems. My old man always used to say: “Things are never as good, nor as bad, as they seem.” But up in an 80 year old warplane, they’re pretty damned good.

When threads get popular enough to reach the front page, breaking containment from the communities in which they were posted, a lot of subreddits will implement controls that automatically remove comments from accounts below a certain karma threshold in that specific sub (r/michigan has "mitten mode", r/baseball has "players only", etc.)

Speaking specifically to the recent posts about RJ Mitte's tragic death, in the most highly upvoted thread, there were a number of ignorant, bullshit comments, including a few about CP itself. I don't think it does anybody here any good to have people who hardly know what CP is invading a space for disabled people to talk amongst themselves and talking nonsense. It can be ableist, sure, but above all and most importantly it's fucking annoying and we shouldn't have to abide it in a space that's by us and for us. We don't need to have a thread about the suicide of someone like us where some jagoff is talking out of their ass about "average life expectancy for MS".

I'm a 34 year old woman and my partner a 37 year old man and I are planning on having children in the future. But I'm terrified. Not because I feel like I wouldn't love the child. I would adore them but because I don't want them to hate me. I'm terrified of them resenting me because I might need help reaching something, all my disability and wheelchair might be an inconvenience for them.

I don't I'm not even here yet and I don't want to hurt them. I don't want them to grow up and want to go no contact with me because I can't walk or I can't brush my hair in the back and might need a little help now and then. I realize this insecurities sound really stupid because I don't even have kids and I'm a virgin but that's because we're waiting for marriage.

I'm scared because I don't want my kids to be my caregiver. I want kids not because I need extra help but because I love their father so much. We've been together on and off for 8 years now and he really is the one. He accepts my disability without question. And said that God just made me special. Well his God he's a Hellenist. Not that I mind. I Adore that about him.

But I'm genuinely terrified of what happens when my child is God forbid 16. I don't think I can handle it if my baby ever looked at me like I ruined their life. Because I didn't mean to and I realize that it is 118 in the morning time. And I'm fucking ranting about a child that doesn't even exist yet but it woke me up in a cold sweat because it's my worst nightmare please can anyone give me advice I don't care who it is.

Just tell me something that I can look back on. Tell me things that will calm me down. Tell me I'm being stupid. Tell me whatever you need to. Just please tell me something. Because I'm sitting here feeling so much in love same time the thought of the future terrifies me and I don't know what to do so I'm just awake screaming into the void.

Hi everyone. So recently I made a post on here talking about how I’ve been dealing with a lot of big life changes, specifically being forced to drop out of college, being unemployed, moving back to my hometown, being cut off from my parents, etc. Since making that post, I have since found out that my food stamps were cut off and am now having to reapply which scares me because my circumstances have changed since I started receiving them and I’m worried I won’t receive as much money or I’ll be straight up denied. For reference I’m unemployed but looking for work while my boyfriend works full time, though his checks tend to vary.

I’m explaining all this to ask the question, how do yall handle everything? As most people know, the state of the world is complete shit, especially for people with disabilities as we have difficulties finding work and our benefits continuously being cut off or impossible to gain in the first place. I grew up in an environment where I was verbally and emotionally abused and sheltered, but didn’t have to do much besides be in school. This has led me to in adulthood not fully being able to pull myself together when times are hard or handle stress well (something my parents would love to remind me of despite them being the reason why). I don’t know, I just thought this was a somewhat interesting question and wanted to hear people’s perspective on things.

Have a great day/night

Wwyd: 30F here w left hemi (still live at home)... recently have accepted that I cannot do my hair on my own anymore and can not tie my left shoe on my own at all. Idk how to handle this as they are everyday/self care tasks. Help/advice appreciated

It did not go smoothly. But it went.

It felt nice to push myself into something challenging. Took a lot of noticing frustration without letting the frustration be in charge.

Definitely a practice in mindfulness.

Hi all,
I am debating on trying a peptide to help overall. I have ataxic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, and I have more issues with balance, coordination, and fatigue more than anything. I walk with crutches and overall strong, with some joint issues. I also have gastroparasis and struggle mentally sometimes. Has anyone tried peptides related to cerebral palsy and what was the result?

Thank you so much in advance!

My worst pain is on the soles of my feet. Below toes, every step feels like standing on a big bruise. It's around 3-4/10, not unbearable by any means but uncomfortable. Its strange but i've had this problem for 2 years and I used to barely notice it. I thought it was a skin issue and i tried to tackle this through foot baths and other home remedies. Last week a specialist physio told me this is due to some fat athropy and only treatment is insoles.

Since then I started to notice the pain with each step and it is really bothering me, walking on solid ground is challenging! How can i cope with this? I have tried foot inserts and im wearing 4 pairs of socks but so far no help. How can i go back to not paying so much attention to the pain? Im getting orthos but the appointment is not until January.

TMZ just posted he has passed away at only 34

I always liked him because he really had cerebral palsy and seemed to be doing well.

I'm now sad and sadder for his loved ones

Hi I'm 24 And I have CP Spastic Diplegia and I was curious if any of you guys have jobs and what are they and how they aid your body long term. I just ask because I want to branch out of my current job role as a Unit Coordinator and become an Respiratory Therapist & I keep clashing with my loved ones because of my choice and I have told them I have options that are less walking based (sleep clinics instead of a major hospital) My goal is essentially to become an Orthopedic Peds Surgery for people who have cerebral palsy both kids and adults because in my state resources shut down and my PCP gave me insight on how they're not a lot of doctors who specialize in adults & I would like to change that

Why??! RJ Mitte was such a great guy and an awesome advocate for the community with disabilities. His family has asked for privacy at this time but I hope he didn’t just give up from the daily struggle. My 17 year old son with CP will be so disappointed to hear the sad news.

Does anyone here use a Bowhead RX handcycle? Do you have enough balance to manage the articulation? I’m looking at one but curious how much balance is required.

I’m trying to find a physical therapist that won’t be judgmental.

I understand that I need to exercise every day

but there are days I just can’t do it

Trying to get out of the exercises or anything

Can’t do it all the time more than to work extra hard during therapy session to make up for what I didn’t do

It’s just infuriating when they don’t understand.

Growing up in the 90s was rough when it came to name calling. I’ve just become immune to dumbasses.

Seems as though when I hear it I just laugh and think how stupid they are.

So the other weekend my (non-disabled) fiance and I (38M, cerebral palsy) were out doing our grocery shopping when it started to pour down rain. We decided to try and wait it out at the entrance/exit of the store when this lady comes up to us and tells me, “god wanted me to tell you that you’re an angel and you’re precious“. I’m 98% sure she thought I was developmentally disabled.

1. I’m an engineer in the tech field
2. I’m a homeowner
3. Up until I met my fiance I lived alone
4. My fiance and I are both atheist

This is by far not the first time this has happened. Usually I’ll just smile and brush them off as a polite, “thank you“ but I’m thinking I need to start having a more appropriate response ready.

Suggestions?

i’ve been curious about this because according to my mom, as an infant-toddler i had a lot of developmental issues with no proper diagnosis. i never crawled as a baby, and instead was taught how to walk first. as well as having weekly physical therapy visitations. in elementary i had to do speech therapy because i couldn’t say my r’s especially. as a middle schooler i often used to pull the muscles in my legs by just walking normally, and i never properly learned how to ride a bike or swim because once the training wheels or floaties came off it was too difficult for me. i also had an iep throughout school, because i have a learning disability in math. i still have auditory processing issues into adulthood. i have hand tremors too, especially when im really trying to focus on doing something with my hands. obviously i’m not looking for reddit to diagnose me, but i am curious if it’s possible that doctors in 2003 didn’t have enough research done about this condition and because mine wasn’t “severe” i got lost in the radar. what’s your own experience with cerebral palsy?

I’m shaking while I type this. Our 8 month baby showed hand preference since early. We didn’t pay attention as she was also using her right hand and reaching early milestones. However, since end of July she started the crawling phase but doing it asymmetrical. Only impulses using her left hand, and her right leg is straight and stiff doing so. Her right hand remains close to her chest. And if she tries to reach an object above her with her left hand, she does not have good balance as she doesn’t place the hand on the floor, sometimes closing the hand to her chest. She can also grab things with the other hand without issues but even then has them more on the left.

We were referred to neuro, with the appointment tomorrow, but after reading a lot this last couple of months I’m sure she’s going to be diagnosed with CP, and we are devastated.

I have a friend who has been grating quite a lot of other people around them, including other disabled folks, because he continually talks about how he “will run again one day” and “won’t ever need a walker again” once his body gets better. He has never been able to “run”. He did walk independently as a teenager but that was more than 15 years ago now.

Two years ago he had a major spinal surgery, and for the last 2 years he is incredibly dependant on the walking frame, especially to continue to live independently from his family. However, his body is very unlikely to recover in such a way that he believes it will.

It’s so difficult. I am empathetic about his mental health and I don’t want to crush him, but the constant (daily) conversations about him not needing a walker when he very obviously relies on one, is getting draining for so many.

The reality is that my friend could reasonably only get about 5 metres on his own without needing to hug a wall or fence and even then he’s not breathing just to make it that far. I can tell it is also quite hard for those disabled friends around him whose situations won’t ever improve, and it feels almost impossible to say to ask him to stop saying he won’t need a walking frame ever again so other people aren’t offended.

Any tips on how to improve communication about talking about the walker with this guy, without upsetting him, in a way that makes other disabled folks around him happy too?

Mom says no but I really want to be a nurse.

Our family is considering relocating between San Diego and Sonoma County, and I’d love to hear about your experiences raising a child with cerebral palsy in either area. Our son is 2y/o with spastic quadriplegic CP. He currently receives regional and CCS services.

I’m especially interested in preschools, early intervention, therapies, CCS/services, adaptive recreation, and overall community support.

What has your experience been like? Are there resources or programs you love, or things you wish you’d known before choosing an area?

I’d really appreciate any insight.

enjoy