Memoir Shares Challenges, Adventures of Growing Up with Cerebral Palsy

SPRINGFIELD — Margaret Anne Mary Moore, author of Bold, Brave, and Breathless: Reveling in Childhood’s Splendiferous Glories While Facing Disability and Loss, will speak at the Springfield Jewish Community Center, 1160 Dickinson St., Springfield, on Sunday, July 28 at 1 pm.

After a normal, healthy, full-term pregnancy, Moore’s parents, Anne and Terrence, were shocked as a prolapsed umbilical cord left their daughter unable to breathe on her own. Margaret, nicknamed Meg, was not expected to live through the night and began to breathe on her own by the next day — a phenomenon that medical personnel deemed a miraculous recovery. She was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a physical disability that required permanent dependence on others for daily tasks. A speech impediment forced her to rely on a communication device to speak to others.

Moore will present and sell copies of her memoir. In it, she narrates her experiences of pursuing a regular education and activities. She delves into the challenges that often come with seeking inclusion and acceptance, but she also highlights the joyous and (often hilarious) adventures of her childhood. The story of Meg Moore and her family is meant to make readers ponder how they, too, can reach their wildest ambitions, and how their inner strength is one of the greatest factors enabling them to do so.

This event is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required at springfieldjcc.org. Access to the Springfield Jewish Community Center is from the entrance off Converse Street, under the awning.