Code, Cerebral Palsy, and Compassion: My Journey into Tech
Channel: Florida DrupalCamp
Date: 2024-02-29

The WHO estimates roughly 1 in 6 people globally have some type of disability. Those who don’t currently have a disability are all but guaranteed to have one at some point in their life. Whether facing the temporary challenges posed by a broken arm or the tenacious adaptations that accompany the journey of aging, we find ourselves interconnected by the threads of resilience and adaptability. 

I was born with a disability called Cerebral Palsy (CP), CP represents a group of neurological disorders that affect muscle control. My case is mild, yet it transforms everyday tasks into intricate and unnecessary puzzles. Throughout my life, my struggles have afforded me a unique perspective on problem-solving. Meanwhile, my struggles with self-acceptance have dragged behind me like an anchor- often slowing me down more than my physical limitations.

In this session, I invite you to join me on my journey toward self-acceptance. I'll share the profound impact of the opportunities and individuals who have guided me along the way. Through award-winning poetry and personal stories, I'll illuminate my struggles and triumphs with CP. By the end of our time together, I hope that we will all leave with a deeper sense of self-love and a better understanding of the power of storytelling to bridge our shared human experiences.

About the Speaker
Matthew Ramir
Lead Developer at Bounteous

Matthew is a Lead backend developer at Bounteous, based out of Denver, Colorado. They obtained a BS in Computer Science and a minor in Gender and Women’s Studies from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Their passion for Drupal began in 2012 with building websites for collegiate LGBTQIA+ and disability advocacy groups.

Matt has a disability called Cerebral Palsy (CP) that affects everything from balance to coordination to fine motor control. Despite navigating the daily challenges of CP, Matt is a top-performing DevOps engineer, known for their ingenious problem-solving and unquenchable thirst for knowledge.

https://www.fldrupal.camp/session/code-cerebral-palsy-and-compassion-my-journey-tech