Madison, a young adult with cerebral palsy, shares her story of overcoming challenges in her life and encouraging others to embrace their differences

At 22, Madison Heady’s life has been anything but ordinary. Madison has faced numerous challenges as a person with cerebral palsy but has transformed those hurdles into a powerful story of resilience and advocacy. The message of her webinar for My CP Guide is simple: "See me, not cerebral palsy."

Madison’s birth and infancy were difficult times, she shares, “I struggled to take my first breath and didn’t reach any of my baby milestones.” It wasn’t until the age of two that Madison was finally diagnosed with Ataxic Cerebral Palsy, a form that can affect the entire body. “I have spasms, shake uncontrollably, and my movements can be jerky and stiff,” she explains. These symptoms can impact everyday activities like walking, writing, and even sleeping.

Growing up with cerebral palsy was a unique experience for Madison and her family, but they learned how to support Madison in the best ways possible, particularly through physical activities that helped build her muscle and core strength. Madison recalls,

Her early school years were a time of discovery, both for Madison and her classmates. Though she didn’t walk or talk until she was six years old, the students around her were curious about her disability. “They were fascinated by the tools I had to use, like a walking frame or sign language cards,” she says. With the support of her teachers, who incorporated disability education into the classroom, Madison found an environment of understanding and friendship. “The other kids grew up with me from pre-primary, and they learned about my disability and over time, they began to see me, not cerebral palsy.”

However, the transition to high school was not as smooth. Madison faced a shift in social dynamics, with students being less curious and more uncomfortable with her differences. “This time around, they weren’t curious to find out. They were just scared of what they didn’t know,” Madison recalls. The isolation she experienced was painful, compounded by the casual cruelty of some peers. She remembers overhearing a student asking a teacher, “Did she really have to be in my dance group?”

Determined to change the way others saw disability, Madison convinced her school principal to allow her to give a lesson on the topic. The impact of that single class was immediate. 

Since then, Madison has turned her passion into a purpose. She has gone on to further education and is involved with several disability advocacy organisations, including The Periscope Crew. She has also started her own public speaking and advocacy business. Through her work, Madison has raised funds for charities like The Saba Rose Button Foundation and Telethon. But her greatest joy comes from the opportunities to educate people about disability and inspire others to “see me, not cerebral palsy.”

Madison’s advocacy doesn’t just focus on others’ perceptions of people with disabilities; it’s also about encouraging those with disabilities to embrace their uniqueness. “Accepting being different is a hard road and can be very challenging,” she admits. But through her own experiences, she has learned that self-acceptance can lead to incredible opportunities. 

In sharing her story with this webinar, Madison hopes to start a conversation about inclusion and empowerment. “People with disabilities just want to be seen, treated as a person, and be given the chance to show you who they truly are and what they can achieve,” she says. Her message to everyone is clear: “Let’s make people feel heard, empowered, accepted, and valued for who they are. You never know, you might find out a whole lot more about yourself, find your passion, or even gain a friendship that will last a lifetime.”

Watch the replay of Madison’s webinar for My CP Guide – Webinar: See me, not cerebral palsy