CP Doesn’t Define Me: Why Strengths Matter More Than Limitations
By Sam Miller | Speaker, Coach, and Founder of Dreaming Made Simple
The Elephant in the Room
For much of my life, cerebral palsy felt like the elephant in the room. I tried to ignore it, hoping that if I didn’t acknowledge it, it couldn’t hold me back.
But ignoring CP made me less authentic. It left me afraid that maybe “they” were right—maybe there really were things I couldn’t or shouldn’t do.
Pull Quote: “CP doesn’t define me. It never has, and it never will.”
The truth is this: I own it. It doesn’t own me.
Walking Into Awareness
Because I don’t feel comfortable driving long distances, I walk—a lot. In fact, for years, I walked up to six miles a day.
Those walks weren’t just about transportation. They became thinking time. Space to reflect on who I was becoming, and what I wanted to build.
While CP created challenges, it also sharpened my mental toughness, resilience, and creativity.
Why Suppressing Pain Isn’t the Answer
Many people suppress pain, settling into “normal” even if that means stuck and frustrated.
For me, counseling was the breakthrough. It gave me permission to face truth, stop pretending, and embrace both my strengths and struggles.
Pull Quote: “Counseling gave me freedom I didn’t know was possible.”
A Message for Organizational Leaders
If you’re a Program Director, Educational Administrator, or nonprofit leader, I’ve been pondering these questions lately:
What strengths already exist in my environment and in the individuals I help?
Where has this person shown resilience before?
How can we amplify what they bring?
Strengths-focused leadership doesn’t ignore challenges—it reframes them.
From Limitation to Leverage
Here’s the truth I’ve learned:
Pull Quote: “Your limitation can become your leverage.”
My CP forced me to walk. Walking gave me perspective.
My CP forced me to adapt. Adapting gave me resourcefulness.
My CP forced me to ask for help. Asking gave me community.
Every limitation hides a hidden opportunity—for individuals, families, and organizations.
Practical Steps for Leaders
Here’s how to start reframing limitations into opportunities:
Audit your language. Shift IEPs and reports from deficits to strengths.
Celebrate small wins. Recognize progress and resilience, not just outcomes.
Invite voices in. Families and participants often see possibilities leaders overlook.
Model vulnerability. Show that asking for help is a strength.
Focus on identity. Remind people: “You are not a problem. You are a solution in progress.”
Reflection Callout
💡 Use these questions personally, in team meetings, or with program participants:
Are you ignoring pain or discomfort? Why?
What positive has come from your biggest challenge?
Who could you invite into your process to see things differently?
What’s one limitation you could reframe as a strength this week?
The Big Picture
Cerebral palsy doesn’t define me. What defines me is how I respond, how I lead, and how I find opportunities where others see obstacles.
The same is true for your organization. Whether you serve individuals with disabilities, guide schools, or run programs, you hold the power to reframe limitations into opportunities for growth and connection.
When we focus on strengths, we don’t just transform individuals. We transform communities.
Final Word
Pull Quote: “Limitations don’t define us. Strengths do.”
You are not a problem. The individuals you serve are not problems.
You are a collection of strengths and possibilities waiting to be used. And when you put those to work—personally, organizationally, and systemically—you don’t just survive. You thrive.
About Sam Miller
Speaker | Coach | Author of I’MPOSSIBLE and I’MPOSSIBLE JOURNEY
Founder of Dreaming Made Simple
💬 Join the Conversation
What’s one limitation you’ve reframed into a strength?
How does your program help participants see their strengths?
🔖 #DisabilityServices #EducationalLeadership #StrengthBasedApproach #Resilience #DreamingMadeSimple #InclusionMatters #GrowthMindset #OrganizationalLeadership