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Episode 8: Chelsea Bear
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Chelsea Bear is a social media influencer who shares Cerebral Palsy through her lens. Chelsea was born and raised in South Florida. When she was eight months old, her mom began to realize she wasn’t sitting up like the other babies in her mommy and me class, which led to years of doctor visits, MRI’s, cat scans, X-Rays and more. At the age of three, Chelsea was officially diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy.
After graduating high school in 2011, Chelsea attended Florida Gulf Coast University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in communication and public relations. She led a thriving career in public relations for 7+ years, and in late 2021 she took the leap to pursue content creation and disability advocacy full-time.
Today, Chelsea uses social media to share her first-hand story of living with Cerebral Palsy.
Cerebral Palsy Foundation on Instagram: @yourcpf
CPGU on Instagram: @cerebralpalsygrowsup
Follow Chelsea: @realchelseabear
Credits
Host: Alexa Orban
Producers: Katy Gaastra, Kyle Khachadurian
Executive Producers: Ashley Harris Whaley, Rachel Byrne
Graphics: Briana Raucci
Recommended
Transcript
Introduction & Guest Welcome
00:00:10
Speaker
Welcome to Cerebral Palsy Grows Up. Join us as we dive into the unique experiences and stories of adults living with cerebral palsy. We hope that as you listen, you feel a sense of camaraderie and community. This episode, we're joined by Chelsea Bear, who most likely you already follow on Instagram.
Career Shift to Advocacy
00:00:29
Speaker
Chelsea led a thriving career in public relations for seven years, and in late 2021, she took the leap to pursue content creation and disability advocacy full-time. Her brand is all about being a positive light in the world.
00:00:42
Speaker
with genuine and authentic content that creates a comfortable space for productive conversations. It was such a great opportunity to sit down with Chelsea and have a conversation.
Life with Cerebral Palsy
00:00:52
Speaker
We got to chat about her recent travels from LA to Ireland, and we even connected on dating with a disability. Join today's episode for some travel tips, accessible travel locations, and more.
00:01:05
Speaker
Hi, Chelsea. So we're so excited to have you on the Cerebral Palsy Grows Up podcast um and talk more about your life on influencing solo travel and accessibility. I think there's so many great and amazing things that you can talk about, but I'd also love to give you some space to introduce yourself in your own words um and talk about some of the great initiatives and adventures that you've been up to.
00:01:30
Speaker
Yeah, well, first of all, thank you for having me on the podcast. I'm so excited this podcast exists in general. ah Really looking forward to our conversation. And then a little bit about me. So I was born with cerebral palsy. For me specifically, it mainly impacts my legs and the way I walk. um I walk independently. I use a walker sometimes, and then also a mobility scooter for long distance and travel.
00:01:56
Speaker
I'm 31, I'm single, I'm based in Tampa, Florida, and I love to travel, go on adventures, meet new people. um You know, really kind of an average life, i'd I'd say, but I share online as well, just what my experiences are living with cerebral palsy, and I'm really excited for this conversation.
00:02:18
Speaker
Yeah, and I think so many people have kind of like that snapshot into your life. um And something that I often bring up, you know, it's like social media is that highlight piece of your life, but it isn't that full scope. So something I'd love to kick off today is, you know, given that you've amassed such a big audience, and you share so much about your life, what's something that even your most loyal followers might not know about you?
00:02:42
Speaker
Good question. I think if you spend even a couple minutes scrolling on my profile, it's all very disability focused. But in my real life, well, of course, it's part of every day because I live with a disability. You know, it's not really the main component of what I'm talking about.
00:03:00
Speaker
with my friends and with my family. um So I think on social media, that's a big part of my presence and how every aspect of my life is kind of impacted by my disability. But in real life, you know, if I'm out with friends and having fun, it's really not the main topic of discussion.
Travel Adventures & Challenges
00:03:20
Speaker
um So I think it's important for people to realize that too. Well, yeah, I'm sharing certain aspects of my life online. There's much more to me than the content I'm putting out too. Yeah, yeah and it's through that lens that I think like you know from from my personal perspective too, that people do get to know you in a certain silo of like, this is who you are. So I think that's great to see that because you know we do live such full lives and there's so many aspects that go into our day-to-day.
00:03:48
Speaker
um But I think that you do like a great job at showcasing that too, umm not not just about your disability, but just some of your fun content too, just to see your personality shine through. um So yeah, you've been up to so much as far as traveling this year, and I know that you've shared like so much of that content. um But you know I'd love to hear about some of your recent adventures, and then we can talk about what life is like traveling with a disability.
00:04:17
Speaker
Yeah, so this year I've been, honestly, the past couple years, I feel like travel has just really picked up like crazy. And I've been traveling more than I ever have, which part of me, I absolutely love. But then when I'm on the go, I'm like, Oh, I wish I'm home with that when I'm home alike.
00:04:35
Speaker
Let's go. So I guess that's another thing my followers wouldn't know too much about me. um But I did a big Europe trip earlier this year and then some domestic trips. I was in Miami, which is just a four hour drive from me here in Tampa. um Also made it out to the west coast to San Diego. So a good mix of different types of trips and stuff so far.
00:04:58
Speaker
That's awesome. Yeah, I definitely have a travel bug too, but I know that feeling like you're so excited to take the trip, but I'm that kind of homebody too where like you have to plan and there's all these things that go into it and you're like, ooh, but i I could just sit at home and watch a movie. yeah place are adam white I have a complexing feeling. I'm like, I want to go, but I don't. But I do, but I don't. so yeah And I feel like there's that additional mental load that we often have to think about, too, of like that extra prep. right like you know Making sure like there's accessible spaces for us. Where can we take breaks? Do I have all the things that I need? um And so that's you know an additional thing that we have to mentally pack and physically pack for ourselves as we travel, too.
00:05:41
Speaker
Yeah, and definitely. So you've spoken openly about having some anxiety while you travel too. Can you share a little more about that and how you manage it before you go on a big trip? Yeah, I'd say it's definitely gotten easier the more I travel, but there's still some level of anxiety every time I go anywhere new. ah Especially as you're aware, you know, it's you could research all you want, but you can get somewhere and it still could not be accessible. And that is a somewhat scary feeling, especially when you're putting all of this time and money
00:06:16
Speaker
into traveling across the world, or even if it is a couple hours away, you're having this time investment, this money investment, and most of the time I'm also with people, so I don't want to be the reason why a trip doesn't work out or something like that.
00:06:32
Speaker
um you know I think one very good example of this was a couple of years ago before I really had social media, just my my personal. um I was going to Chicago for the first time in January, so and as a Floridian, I've never really experienced snow that much.
00:06:50
Speaker
and I've never been to Chicago, so I was really, really nervous about once I get there, I'm with my friends. Am I going to even be able to navigate around? Am I going to be able to walk in the snow? Am I going to be able to scoot in the snow? um And then I didn't want to be the reason that my friends and I just had to kind of like hang out by the hotel the whole time. Thankfully, it ended up working out, but things like that always go through my mind when I'm going somewhere new.
00:07:16
Speaker
um But what I like to do now, I think that social media has been a huge help seeing and being able to follow other disabled content creators that travel has been such an invaluable tool for me and because I can see other people with similar experiences to me in places I want to go and I could see, okay, they were able to go to X, Y, and Z, so I should be able to go to X, Y, and Z.
00:07:42
Speaker
um So being able to watch their experiences tremendously helps as well as just spending a lot of time to research and plan to the best of my ability while also knowing that things aren't always going to go as planned but kind of being able to go with the flow a little bit too.
00:08:00
Speaker
Yeah. And I think that there's a lot of spaces here that have started to become more accessible um when it comes to traveling or even you know making sure that a member of a care team can also come in um as you visit different places. But I mean, especially abroad, there's always those extra hurdles that people have to think of. um And I think you know it comes down to the fact that these cities are ancient cities. and ah so It's not my friend. but but Yeah, yeah. and So even when you're in Ireland, I mean taking those, you know, extra steps to make sure that you could go to all of those great places, um but to see the accessibility there was really cool too. um So you talked about, you know, looking at some creators and and, you know, researching yourself, but are there, you know, any other tips um you can give to people on navigating accessibility in new places as they travel?
00:08:52
Speaker
ah but Beyond, again, like kind of looking at other people's blogs and YouTube and social media, um I think it's good to identify specific places you want to go. I know sometimes that takes a little bit of the spontaneity out of it.
00:09:08
Speaker
But it really ends up paying off. And a good example I'll give is when I was recently in Dublin, um it was kind of the last part of my Ireland trip. And I just assumed out of all of Ireland that this is the biggest city I'm going to. um you know There's tons of restaurants and things to do. So that was the one city I didn't research too much because I just assumed they're the most established city. They're going to have accessibility.
00:09:35
Speaker
And when I got there, I realized they were probably the least accessible part of the whole trip in Ireland. And it just really um caught me by surprise. And just so many of the restaurants had you know a couple of steps to get into, or they would say they're accessible, but by being accessible, they only let you sit outside because there are stairs to get in.
00:09:59
Speaker
Um, so I think finding specific in hindsight, you know, if I were to find specific restaurants, reach out beforehand, call or message or whatever and know, okay, this specific one is accessible. I could easily roll right in. Um, you know, it would have saved me a lot of time then kind of just going to a place that looks good, getting there and then needing to reroute to somewhere else.
00:10:24
Speaker
um So I always encourage people to actually look for the specific things that they need. And if you can take the time investment to reach out in advance, it'll end up helping you. so Yeah, no, that that's great advice. Because when when you're in a new place at any rate, right you're and in a new place.
00:10:43
Speaker
and you're trying to navigate all of the places that you need to go, as well as that you finally feel comfortable, right? It relieves that anxiety to be like, now I know where I'm going. And then all of a sudden, you know, you do have to reroute and kind of change plans for your day. so You want to make sure you can give yourself that like feeling of, okay, I've planned the day and I've got this. But that's like really cool to to see like the way that you plan out trips because I think there are some people that are type A planners that just want to know you know from the minute that they wake up until they go to bed, everything that they're doing. But I think from our perspective too, like it's also to make sure that there's things that we can do throughout the day and in order to have a good experience.
00:11:23
Speaker
you know, like when when I was abroad last year, we were doing like sometimes 10,000 steps a day. And so to maintain that and to be able to go back to the hotel and give myself reprieve, I mean, it's just so much and it's taxing on your on your body overall. and But it's something like, you know, after I'm done, I'm like, okay, I need to relax on the couch for six months, but then I get that travel bug again.
00:11:47
Speaker
Yeah. What was like one of your favorite experiences that you've had traveling and probably like the past year or so? Ooh, I will have to say it was Ireland kind of going to the more quiet parts of the country beyond Dublin. There's just it's it's such a beautiful country and you're kind of there and it's as green as you think it would be. And you're kind of just in this surreal moment of, OK, this exists in this lifetime, you know,
00:12:16
Speaker
um I think whenever I get to go somewhere new, especially different cultures and stuff like that, you just learn a little bit more about other cultures, other people, and then more about yourself. um So i'm I'm just so appreciative of being able to to get to do that. When you travel, is this something that you typically plan to do with friends or do you also like to make solo adventures too?
00:12:43
Speaker
Honestly, a mix. um I think I always prefer to have at least a friend with me just because it's more fun to share some experiences with someone else. um But if I do want really want to go somewhere or let's say there's a work opportunity And it's just hard to coordinate with people's schedules, also go alone. I don't want to hold myself back from that. And I've been finding, even doing these solo trips, I still can have such a great time and meet new people and even put myself out of my comfort zone than what I'm i'm used to. So it's it's definitely been a mix the past year, I'd say, with the different trips that come up, whether they're personal or for work.
Traveling Solo vs. with Friends
00:13:24
Speaker
um But i' I've been enjoying both aspects of it, whether I'm with someone or by myself. That's so awesome. And I think for for me, even just traveling alone, it's a lot to add additionally. But for us, like we also have to make sure that we have everything that we need in order to travel alone. So when you go with scoots, do you feel comfortable on traveling along with scoots and you know giving yourself all the tools that you need?
00:13:51
Speaker
Yeah, that's a great question. I mean, when I'm by myself, I definitely have my wits about me. um And I really try to say, when it gets dark, let's say, you know, I try to be close to my hotel or at my hotel just because I, you know, I'm a single woman scooting around a brand new city. You never know what can happen.
00:14:11
Speaker
So I like to do all my exploring during the day. And then that way, you know, if any issues do pop up with my scooter, hopefully there's time for me to call like a local mobility scooter shop to to fix it where I'm not there at 9pm and everything's closed.
00:14:29
Speaker
Not that that happens too often, but you know it's it's so so good to know. so When I'm by myself, I really i try to be as safe and aware of my surroundings as possible um because obviously that's a concern being by myself. but But for the most part, I like to do ah still like to get out there and you know meet new people and stuff. That's awesome. On top of you know solo travel and all of the great things that you've been up to, um what would be a dream vacation that you would get to go on?
00:14:57
Speaker
Ooh, honestly, after doing so many trips that have so many different variables to them, I would love to do an all-inclusive or something where I just get to a destination, I'm there, I don't have to worry about getting in, you know, transportation, I could just be by the pool, um you know, that's that's my next dream trip.
00:15:20
Speaker
That's awesome. Yeah, and I think there is something about an all-inclusive resort because it takes off all the things that you need to do and you get to show up and just every everything is there so you don't have to worry about coordinating entertainment or in a nice dinner or Going to the pool. Everything is just in walking distance. So it makes it a lot easier accessibility wise in my opinion to just kind of be where you're gonna be and enjoy, and not have to worry about all those other variables. Yeah, definitely. And I feel like you're in such a great space too, to be able to like take day trips and enjoy the beach and, you know, like go to places that are around you. So you have a piece of that, um but to be a little bubble. It's always great to have that relaxation and enjoy yourself too. so ooh i i love I'd love to chat about with you too. um Advice to people who would like to travel. so I know you're saying you know all inclusives, it takes off that additional load of traveling and you know additional accessibility hurdles, but you know where would you send some people um if they're wanting to go on some trips?
00:16:24
Speaker
I think in addition to all inclusives, cruises are a really great option for accessibility because you can get to see different cities. But at the end of the day, you have that kind of home base of the ship and it's very similar. You have everything you need, you know, nightlife, daytime activities, pool, vacation. um So I always am a huge advocate for cruises if you're dealing with anything accessibility related. And then there there's a few different cities, at least in the United States, that I feel are really good. I've had really positive experiences in Washington, D.C. I think that they've really done well with their public transportation. And i when I travel, I like to stay kind of in a hotel in a downtown area, just so it is easily kind of walkable or scootable, so to lessen needing to get in an Uber or something like that. But I think that usually is is really helpful.
00:17:21
Speaker
I haven't been to DC. I love it. I won a couple of years ago for my birthday and I was just blown away with how easy it was getting everywhere and there's so much to do and it's it's it's a really great place. I'll have to definitely add it to my list. I know we have like this travel bucket list and I feel like it just keeps getting longer and longer. um So we'll have to to put it on and yeah, get the CP Social 2025 down there Katie, let's do it. Yes, I need a reason to go back.
00:17:49
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah. I know. And I can actually like pretty accessibly in Connecticut to me to get to DC, there's a train station that's 10 minutes away. So, you know, and it'll be like a four hour train ride. But I think like that's something that I've thought of, especially because driving for me, you know, getting places, I'm well versed in going, but it's just already that like fatigue to get there physically driving. But if I'm able to take the train, it's like, Oh my gosh.
00:18:16
Speaker
I can sit back and work and edit, do whatever I want, and then I get to that place. um so I think even though the US is behind on public transit and trains, like it has been something that's been eye-opening to me. um stuff like Definitely. I've been really into train travel recently because of those reasons. It's just so much easier and you don't have the stress of but focusing on the road and you know the the fun drivers that we share it with.
00:18:43
Speaker
But I did a train ride in California from San Diego to l LA and it was it was just so much easier than having to get on a plane, deal with all of that stress. um So if there's ever a good train route, I'm definitely down to do it.
00:18:59
Speaker
That's awesome. And then you go along the coast too, so it's like you actually get to enjoy the views. You get some good views, so that's great. So I know we talked a lot about travel, but I think I'll i'll wrap up our kind of travel piece here with, um you know, what's your must-bring disability and accessibility items that you always have on you when you travel?
00:19:19
Speaker
Ooh, so I always pack the things I absolutely need in my carry-on. So whether I'm checking a bag or not, certain things have to go in my carry-on. Definitely my scooter charger is always first in there. um My supplements, because, you know, that early 30s life, I've been really focused on taking a lot of supplements with me, especially when I travel ah giving that extra just work on my body. So that's been really helpful. war And then extra backup. I mean, this isn't really accessibility related, but backup chargers for my phone just in case of any emergency where, you know, it's not as easy for
00:19:59
Speaker
me to just hail a cab or something you know I need to be able to call certain transportation or call a place to make sure it's accessible so I just always need to make sure my phone is charged and then also I have a little mini travel Theragun that I just started taking with me on my recent trips and it's been so helpful like sitting on a plane all day when I get back to the hotel just being able to kind of use that to loosen up my muscles and get in a better kind of reset for the trip ahead. um That's been a game changer. recently Oh, I'm going to need to find out. Yeah, because I will i found to traveling on flames like I need compression socks now, like the circulation is something that again, like
00:20:46
Speaker
coming on to 30. Like I've noticed those changes in my body where I'm like, oh my gosh, like my circulation is so bad. And I get to a place and it's like, you know, having hemiplegia, my right leg is just not having it. Like it doesn't want to go out on adventure. My body's basically on E from sitting because it's probably been trying to keep the blood flow going. And so that's been like, like a big thing.
00:21:10
Speaker
I actually haven't tried compression socks yet, but I am tonight because I'm going on a flight along one. Um, but I found actually when I flew over to Europe, I wore sweatpants instead of leggings. And normally I wear leggings and then I didn't even think about it, but because I was wearing looser pants, my legs and knees swelled up. Like,
00:21:32
Speaker
It's like crazy. So now I know that it's better for me to wear leggings just because they are tighter and help with that blood flow and stuff. And I'm going to try the the compression socks today. Yeah, yeah, definitely let me know too because I think like that's that's a big thing like you know, you wouldn't even think of leggings do give you that little bit of extra compression. And then I really didn't think of it. And then I'm like, why is this happening? And I kind of connected the dots after the fact. Yeah, our your travel fit, right? Like always like the sweatshirt leggings. And yeah, but same goes for me. Yeah. Can you tell us where you're going? Or is this a top secret trip?
00:22:09
Speaker
Yeah, no, it's not a top secret. I'm going to California. Oh, nice. Yeah, I'm going to Los Angeles to speak um at the Rolex Experience. I don't know if you've heard of it before. um They're like ah a dance group for women in wheelchairs, and I'm going to speak on a panel about dating with a disability. So I'm really excited. And then I'm extending the trip a little bit just to explore LA.
00:22:35
Speaker
That's awesome. We'll have to actually connect on that because I love being out in California. So, if you want some fun recommendations, I can probably send you. Yeah, definitely. Yeah, but that's, yeah, the six-hour flight to California, that that is a stretch. so Yeah, I know. It's been a busy day and I keep forgetting that I have a cross-country flight leader. Thanks taking the time today before that yeah yeah dinner to get on and and chat with us. so I know that you have talked about dating with a disability before and that's been like a subject that you've you've brought up many times. so I'd love to like cover that a little bit and talk about your experience of dating with a disability.
Dating with Cerebral Palsy
00:23:17
Speaker
Yeah, I mean, I've been on and off the apps, I would say, for over a decade now. So I've had some positive experiences, and I usually find myself when I'm, let's say, with a guy that doesn't care about my disability in the way of, you know, he's not going to not date me because of it. yeah um My experiences have been kind of an internal battle. If I'm not feeling it with him, do I continue to have a relationship with someone just because they're accepting of me, but I'm not really feeling it in other ways. um So that usually has been, well, and I wouldn't say the biggest struggle, but a struggle as well as just dealing with
00:24:03
Speaker
the bizarre things about that men will say on dating apps in terms of questions they have about um my disability, things I can or cannot do. um It's definitely been easier now that I have an online platform and everything's kind of out there and I could just direct them to my page and I'll be like, all right, you could see how I walk, you can see how I do this. And if you still have questions, I'm obviously open to speaking about it. um But before I had social media,
00:24:32
Speaker
It still, I mean, there's still challenges now, but um yeah, it's a roller coaster, I would say. Yeah, yeah, i I definitely know that experience too, to a degree, Telsi, where it's like, you know, you for me, it's like I wanted to share more about my life, right? Because there's so many pieces of me, like I love to travel, I love to be active, like there's so much that like i I want to encompass in my life. And I felt like then I would almost hit like a rock wall once we got to that conversation.
00:25:03
Speaker
um And, you know, I agree with you it's like you, you want to make sure that you can share that piece of your life and that they, they want to continue to know more and and learn more about you after like you have talked about it, but it's also like because they accept who you are, it feels like So freeing. um So I totally know that feeling of like balancing that line to make sure that you know it's it's a person that's here for all of you. And like it's navigating. It's tough. like I've been in a long term relationship for almost five years. and
00:25:37
Speaker
I think that there's things that my fiance still learns about me every day with my disability and just, you know, like how we'll navigate like together. um And there have been things that I don't think he would have thought he had to spearhead alongside me. Like, you know, hearing that I might need a major surgery within the next few years or a hip replacement, like that, then you realize like, I'm going to be the caregiver like for my future wife. And it's not something that many people like in their late 20s, early 30s add to their list. But I think like navigating that life and and showing up as yourself is the most powerful thing because like you know I think in this day and age where we live, so many people just want to share their pieces. But as women with disabilities, people with disabilities,
00:26:25
Speaker
we really have to show up like as our full selves. And sometimes I feel like instead of a dive, we make a splash right away and into who we are. um And it's not always the easiest, but I think the right people can really make those connections.
00:26:39
Speaker
Yeah, no, I completely agree. And I always say, you know, I feel every person that's dating has some things that they probably are nervous to tell someone else, especially in the early dating phases. And for us, it kind of has to be part of the very first conversations because it is in our case, you know, it's a physical disability. So, and I used to play with it. I'm like, do I tell them in advance of a date? Do I just show up? I mean, now I have it on my profile because I'd rather just get it out there. um But, you know, there's things that we just have to, they they kind of can't get to know us first without addressing it, which sometimes I um go back and forth with how I feel. Sometimes I'm like, okay, if they can't handle it, then it's good to get them out early.
00:27:29
Speaker
And then sometimes I'm like, I wish they could just get to know me and we can figure out all that other stuff after. um But but yeah, it's definitely um it. My point of view has always been if I'm my most authentic self and I don't settle, you know, the right person will come into my life and it will be the right relationship. so you know Exactly. And align on all the values like of who you are because i mean there's just so much complexity to to who we are as people. And I totally agree. I think that everybody has a story. and Disability or not, there's something that you're always bringing to the table, like in diverse perspectives. So it's really great like having that convergence of you know everything all coming together.
00:28:15
Speaker
Yeah. So great. it's I think it's awesome that you're you're speaking on this topic too, because it's something that I i feel not enough people talk in and share about. So having that is really great for you too. Yeah. Yeah. Oh, go ahead. Were you going to add more?
00:28:32
Speaker
Yeah, I was just gonna say like, I mean, that's how that's why I started talking about it in the first place, just because I know that I'm not the only disabled woman or disabled person dating. um So I just kind of wanted to help other people understand they're kind of not alone on this journey. And yeah, so every time I i talk about it, it's usually the thing I get the most interest in, whether it's people just being interested and wanting to learn are people relating and that's you know why i I like to share what I do. Yeah and I think like that's like another piece I mean for me personally why I started to share my story is because I felt like there wasn't that piece of disability as a spectrum like so many people just look at disability in one light and sort of be able to like share all of those pieces it it shows us like we are a whole person um and there's so many people so many things that we do um and and we just really want people to understand and I think that's for you especially like how you've been able to you know grow such an authentic following and just like be able to show people who you are um I really think that's why they they come together to follow you too Chelsea because like
00:29:44
Speaker
they see you um like as that whole person is is who you are, which is just you know something that we need more of on social media for sure. Instead of yeah like that that perfect shot of life that like so many people share um of a highlight reel, diving into a little bit more of of who we are as people. Yeah, the the reality of it. Yes, definitely. That was one of my friend's podcast names.
00:30:07
Speaker
I loved it. But as far as like sharing stories, I think you know just for other people who are more interested about sharing more about their life with CP online, like what advice would you give them as they start to share their story?
Sharing Stories Online
00:30:23
Speaker
Yeah, i I got this question a lot and I always say, you know, only put things out there that you're comfortable with sharing and really evaluate why you're sharing something. um You know, if you're if you're sharing because you want to go viral,
00:30:39
Speaker
it's probably not going to happen if you're sharing because similar to you and I why we started we just felt that there needed to be more representation or that there were certain topics that in my life everyone around me made seem so uncomfortable and i'm like i've had a disability my whole life why is everyone so weird about this like you know like so i think um Getting centered with why you want to share and also knowing, you know, anything you put online, there's always going to be someone not happy with something you say. It could be, I like the color blue and someone's going to get mad about it. Trust me.
00:31:16
Speaker
um So I think the more comfortable you are in what you're putting out when you do start to get those differing comments and messages, you're comfortable enough that it won't really affect you. um Because I think that mental health aspect is really important that a lot of people overlook when they want to um You know, grow on social media and have a platform. There's a lot that goes into it. So I think as long as you're coming from an authentic place, you have a good support system and you're sharing things that are true to yourself, not necessarily for the likes or views.
00:31:53
Speaker
you know it it can only be a positive experience. so And then always remember, even if you're helping one person in any type of post, that's all that matters. um Again, going to the view thing, it's it's not as important as if you're able to have a really good conversation with one other person and they feel seen. um you know there's There's no way to describe how impactful that makes you feel personally.
00:32:18
Speaker
Yeah, I kind of agree with you more. that's I think the biggest thing you know is ah showing up as your authentic self and sharing what you want to share um versus going for the likes because i I never want to lose myself in who I am when I share content. like I always want to show up as Alexa. um And that's something that you know with with what we share, it is a vulnerable part ah of life.
00:32:43
Speaker
um but something that more people can relate to. And I'm sure you feel this way too. Like i I can see the one bad comment and kind of ruminate on it and think about it time and time again. But then I think of all of the great people that I've connected with and just like this community um that has come into my life because I have started to share a piece of my story. So even if you do it just for the connections, even if you do it just to find more community, I think that's what social media is about.
00:33:11
Speaker
um and and really making those strong connections because we we definitely need more of them. Yeah, I couldn't agree more. I have one last question, but I wanted to give you anything else if you wanted to add um before I hit you with our last question. Yeah, there there's something I could think of, but if there's anything else. Yeah. Yeah.
00:33:33
Speaker
Cool. All right. So as you know, with CP Grows Up, you know, I think that we have been, and this is like a reoccurring theme that I've seen across so many adults, healthcare care with adults with CP.
Healthcare Needs & Resources
00:33:46
Speaker
And it's a topic that I could probably talk for hours um with many of my friends that are adults with CP. But if there could be um the number one thing that you want to see changed about healthcare care for adults with CP, what would it be?
00:34:01
Speaker
There's so much. I mean, I think initially just having more medical professionals aware of but cerebral palsy and the different ways it impacts their different specialties. um You know, if I'm going to an orthopedist, I have to kind of explain myself and advocate for myself, which of course, people even without a disability have to do all the time, but it's kind of I'm having to bring the education when I myself am not even a medical professional. I just know my lived experience. um So you know beyond all of the research and everything that heavily needs to be done for adults with CP, um just getting the the medical doctors, all of that whole industry more equipped with what we need.
00:34:54
Speaker
And having more resources in general, um that's usually a really big issue is just finding someone or a physical therapist that knows what to do with me because I'm not a sports injury that can heal in six to eight weeks. You know, i it's going to be a forever thing. um And a lot of them, it's hard for them to wrap their head around that because they can't tangibly and record ah positive end goal um you know it's kind of just maintaining so
00:35:25
Speaker
um yeah i think and and also I think this podcast is going to be a really great resource because a lot of the time from what I found on my platform as well is just having certain things linked to CP that I didn't know. um So maybe more information about maybe the side effects of CP, um you know, things that you wouldn't think are related, but end up being related. I think it has just helped me understand myself a little bit more. And a lot of more people need to be able to have those conversations as well. What do you mean by side effects?
00:36:03
Speaker
Yes, um so by side effects I'd say one example I talked about on my stories a couple weeks ago was when I have coffee sometimes I feel like my muscles are like more tight or it's harder for me to navigate walking around moving. um So I think that a lot of people started responding to me and they're like, wait, me too. And obviously in hindsight, it makes sense. Like you're having caffeine, it makes you more tense and stuff like that. um But kind of connecting those dots that, oh, this is relating to CP and it very clearly has a correlation. I'm same with cold weather.
00:36:43
Speaker
I think the first couple times I would travel up north, I kind of was like, oh, it's harder for me to move around. But then when I posted it online, so many people were like, oh, wait, me too. This is how my muscles feel. This is how this happens. um So kind of the unexpected. I don't know if side effects is the best um just word to say, um but just things about CP that you wouldn't think are connected, I guess, um in those kind of unique situations, which If you have a medical background, maybe you would probably already know that, but I never did. I was always a communications person and never focused on my disability ah besides my lived experience until recent years. um So it's it's just been really eye-opening for me to kind of connect those dots with other people.
00:37:33
Speaker
If that makes sense. so I can agree more, especially the just like the reflex, like the startle reflex. Yes. That not too. I was like, Oh my gosh, I'm just the jumpiest person ever. All my friends play pranks on me. And then one day everyone started messaging me and they're like, Oh no, this has to do with CP. And I was just mind blown. I'm like, okay, so it's not just me.
00:37:55
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah. I think, oh gosh, there's there's so many things, but I think that that really is you know just having more of a ah resource guide and where we're not digging across social media to say that we have shared lived experiences, but that there's actually you know more of a place where providers can say, well, actually, that is a symptom of CP, and that is something that can happen in your day-to-day life. When we've seen it across, you know we just don't have that.
00:38:20
Speaker
yeah i with you We kind of need you know more of those resources where when you're going to a specialist, they truly do know um about CPR or can get resources to support you.
00:38:32
Speaker
yeah yeah Well, Tulsi, I cannot thank you enough um for joining today. And I'm so glad that we got to talk more you know just about travel and just life. um We're so looking forward to this. And I'm i'm looking forward to you know just hearing so many more stories. um So really excited to to have you here um and to be a part of this conversation. um And so you know for people to follow and and get to know you more, um where can they find you?
Connecting on Social Media
00:39:01
Speaker
My handle is at ReelChelseaBear. I'm on pretty much everywhere, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok. And yeah, i'm I'm so thankful for you for starting this podcast. I'm so happy to be here and I can't wait to send to you the next episode.
00:39:17
Speaker
Thank you for listening to this episode of Suru Pulsi Grows Up, the podcast. This show is produced by Ashley Harris Whaley, Katie Gastra, and Kyle Kechedorian, hosted by Alexa Orban, and its logo was designed by Brianna Rachey. We'd like to thank our listeners for being a valuable part of our community, and we'd like to thank Chelsea Bear for her time and expertise. Don't forget to subscribe and rate Suru Pulsi Grows Up the podcast from wherever you get your podcasts. Please follow atsirupolzergrowsup on Instagram and TikTok to connect with the project and stay up to date. Thanks again for listening and we hope you'll be back for our next episode.