CP Awareness Month Episode

Hi Guys, it’s Alex.  I live with Cerebral Palsy (CP) It affects my fine and gross motor skills. I use a wheelchair, an adapted bike a walker for mobility. I’ve been wearing AFOs since I was about a year old.

I’ve had many surgeries including many leg surgeries, hand surgery, eye surgeries, to
help my body work better. My left hand works better because of the surgery on it. My eyes are in better alignment now after having surgeries as I did have crossed eyes or strabismus when I was born. I think the surgeries were worth it because now I can use a walker to walk.

In the beginning I wasn’t given a very good prognosis from the doctors. But my family did everything to try to help me get stronger.

In 2022 I was asked to be part of a clinical trial of the Trexo Robotic Walking Device and it helped me get strong and eventually I was able to take independent steps and walk big distances. Now I walk as much as I want, down the street, around my neighborhood, at the mall and in the park.

Walking in my Trexo walker has changed my world. My chronic knee pain is totally gone and I’ve had other health improvements. I’ve gone from a person always in a wheelchair to someone who can be up on her feet! It’s been life changing.

I love keeping fit and I’ve listed my activities on my website on my fitness page. For me it is important to exercise daily and I love stretching and strengthening.

“My personal motto is: I CAN DO IT!”

I was inspired to write a song about my journey as someone living with cerebral palsy. Music is a way I can express myself and these lyrics I wrote came easily as I thought about my life. I wanted to write this song and share my story.

Connect with Alex:

• Site
• YouTube
• Instagram

My name is Carol Mertens. I grew up in Calgary, Alberta. I studied marketing and worked for several companies before opening my own Sales and Marketing business in Vancouver. I met my husband in BC and we moved to Alberta in 1998.In 1999, we discovered we were expecting triplets. Three healthy baby girls we delivered by C-section at Foothills Hospital.

As they started to develop, we noticed that Baby C was very different from her sisters. She wasn’t achieving the same milestones as Baby A or B. Baby C wasn’t holding her head up, couldn’t move her body well, didn’t sleep well, had a hard time feeding and cried a lot.

At the age of 1 when she couldn’t sit up, control her body, and had very stiff limbs, we got the confirmation that she had experienced lack of oxygen in utero and she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. We had no idea what to do or where to turn. We tried every type of therapy and intervention possible. Some helped others did nothing. But eventually, we became able to manage her disability.

We homeschooled the girls because Baby C began to experience uncontrolled grand mal seizures on top of having cerebral palsy. We began in Grade 1 and continued through high school. Eventually, the health concerns settled and we were just dealing with raising a child with significant disabilities. Because we homeschooled, we were able to try different, more intense physio strategies as well as alterative learning styles with our child with disabilities.

The girls all thrived homeschooling – after high school they all went to Mount Royal University (2 with honors and scholarships). I began volunteering and sitting on the Board of CP Kids & Families. After serving for 6 years on the Board including President, I started working for the organization as the Adapted Bike Manager. I worked for 10 years in that role and recently retired.

Baby A – Katie graduated with honors from MRU in business and works for Alberta Innovates. Baby B – Samantha, graduated from MRU with honors in Education and is teaching in New Zealand, and Baby C – Alex.

My name is Katie Mertens, I grew up in and around Calgary, graduated from Mount Royal University in 2021 with a BBA in Finance and Innovation & Entrepreneurship. I am currently pursuing my MBA at the University of Calgary and work for Alberta Innovates supporting projects in Health Innovation.

My career aspirations and journey have been shaped by my sister Alex and our family’s involvement in the CP community. As I student, I worked and volunteered for Cerebral Palsy Kids & Families as their summer camp director, taught dance at BLOOM Wellness Collective, a dance studio for kids with disabilities, and was a community aide for multiple individuals with cerebral palsy.

Alex has inspired me to go into a career that supports health innovation. She motivates me to share her inspiring journey and emphasize the importance of problem-solving, and client relationships in entrepreneurship.

In my undergrad, I completed a research paper on Trexo Robotics and fell in love with the company’s mission. At the time, I didn’t think Alex would ever have the opportunity to use a Trexo, but little did I know that 2 years later she would! I had the pleasure of attending her first session in the Trexo and it felt like a full circle moment for me.

In my spare time, I enjoy the outdoors, hiking, skiing and rock climbing. I am a passionate advocate for individuals with disabilities and volunteer for different community groups in Calgary serving this population. Like Alex, I have a keen interest in a healthy lifestyle and enjoy sports and recreational activities that we can do together.

Listen to/watch Episode 3: Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month

Spotify

YouTube

Apple