Who Are The Most Influential Celebrities With Cerebral Palsy?

Celebrities with cerebral palsy are inspiring examples of people who have overcome challenges and achieved success in various fields. It is a group of multiple peoples who are disorders which affect the ability of the people and maintain the balanced, which is caused by brain injury.

However, having cerebral palsy does not prevent a person from pursuing their dreams and passions. In this article, we will introduce you to some famous people with cerebral palsy who have made a mark in entertainment, art, sports, and advocacy.

You will learn about their stories, achievements, and contributions to raising awareness and creating opportunities for others with disabilities. Whether they are comedians, actors, authors, painters, or speakers, these celebrities with cerebral palsy have shown that nothing is impossible with determination, talent, and courage.

20 Famous Celebrities with cerebral palsy

After understanding the overview of our topic today, Cerebral Palsy, we are now discussing celebrities who have been diagnosed with and have overcome several challenges in their life.

Similarly if you want to know about 20 Famous Celebrities Who Left Hollywood For God, then you can know from here.

Josh Blue
Abbey Nicole Curran
Dan Keplinger
Geri Jewell
Christy Brown
RJ Mitte
Bonner Paddock
Jhamak Ghimire
Maysoon Zayid
Justin Gallegos
Keah Brown
Nicolas Hamilton
Zach Anner
Anne McDonald
Eric Gores
David Ring
Chris Nolan
Jerry Taylor
Chris Fonseca
Sophia Warner

1. Josh Blue: Comedian, NBC fourth season Winner

Josh Blue is an American stand-up comedian best known for winning the fourth season of the NBC reality show Last Comic Standing in 2006. He challenges others to overcome preconceived assumptions about people with cerebral palsy using his dismissive sense of humour.

Blue stated that his appearance on the show was intended to “make people aware of the fact that people with disabilities can make an impact.” Josh is still doing stand-up and recording comedy specials.

2. RJ Mitte: Role in Breaking Bad

I had no idea Mitte had cerebral palsy. He’s a very talented young man. You may recognize him from the program “Breaking Bad” as Walter JR, the son of Walter White, played by Bryan Cranston. In the show, he plays a child with cerebral palsy who defies all obstacles.

In real life, he has defied all obstacles and demonstrated that there are no limits to what you may do. Everything is theoretically feasible. He is among actors with cerebral palsy.

3. Abbey Nicole Curran: Miss USA competitor

Abbey Nicole Curran, diagnosed with cerebral palsy at age two, made history as the first Miss USA competitor with a disability, representing Iowa in 2008. Plus Abbey is one of the Celebrities with cerebral palsy.

She has since been on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and launched the Miss You Can Do It Pageant for young girls with exceptional disabilities. In 2013, the pageant was included in HBO’s summer documentary series.

4. Dan Keplinger: Artist

Dan Keplinger is a cerebral palsy artist. He is well-known for making his artwork with a head stick, as his disability impairs his ability to control his hands and other limbs. In 2000, his work and personal story were the subject of an Oscar-winning documentary. He is a famous singer with cerebral palsy.

Keplinger chose the artist name “King Gimp” as a method to change a word that is generally connected with something terrible into something positive.

5. Geri Jewell: Television Actress

Geri Jewell is a well-known American television actress who played Geri Tyler on the sitcom Facts of Life from 1980 until 1984. Due to her groundbreaking role, she became the first person with a visible impairment to participate in a prime-time series regularly. It also made her the first actor with Cerebral Palsy to appear in a television series.

She’s since been in several other TV shows, including the hugely popular western Deadwood. Geri Jewell is one of the Celebrities with cerebral palsy.

6. Christy Brown: Write with Left Foot

Christy Brown was an Irish-born poet and author who also dabbled in painting. For many years, his severe cerebral palsy rendered him unable to move or speak. He didn’t learn to read, write, or communicate until he gained control of his left foot with the support of his adoring mother.

His legacy now consists of his autobiography, “My Left Foot”, the accompanying film about his life, and his best-selling novel, “Down All the Days”.

7. Bonner Paddock: Ironman World Championship

Bonner Paddock is a one-of-a-kind person. He was the first person with cerebral palsy to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro without assistance in 2008. In addition, he was the first person with cerebral palsy to complete the Ironman World Championship in Kona in 2012.

After that, he established his charity in 2009; he raised about $1 million through these efforts. He inspires because he continues to generate funds for special needs children through his charity. His journey has been truly inspirational.

8. Jhamak Ghimire: Nepali Writer

Jhamak Ghimire is a Nepali writer born with cerebral palsy, a condition affecting her ability to move and speak. She writes with her left foot, using a pen or a typewriter. She is a columnist for Kantipur newspaper and has published several books of poetry, essays, and an autobiography.

Her autobiography, Jiwan Kada Ki Phool (Is Life a Thorn or Flower), won the prestigious Madan Puraskar in 2010, making her the first person with cerebral palsy to receive this award. She has also received other literary honours and recognition for her work.

She inspires many people who face challenges and difficulties in life. Jhamak has shown that nothing is impossible with determination, talent, and courage. Jhamak is one of the Celebrities with cerebral palsy.

9. Maysoon Zayid: Palestinian-American actor and Comedian

Maysoon Zayid is a Palestinian-American actor and comedian. Her parents couldn’t afford physical rehabilitation for her as a child, so they sent her to tap dance class instead, according to her 2013 TEDWomen lecture. She is one of the young actresses with cerebral palsy.

Zayid’s big break in show business occurred when she was asked to appear on the Current TV show Countdown with Keith Olbermann. She was, after that, asked to become a regular contributor.

It was, however, her first experience with cyberbullying and rude comments about her disabilities. Zayid has continued her performing career, including in the New York Arab-American Comedy Festival, which she co-founded with Dean Obeidallah in 2003.

10. Justin Gallegos: Sign Contract with Nike

Justin Gallegos is a professional runner with cerebral palsy, which affects his muscle tone, movement, and motor skills. He was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was two years old and used a walker until he was six.

Justin started running in high school and joined the University of Oregon’s running club in college. He has competed in various races, including the 400 meters, the one mile, the 8k, the half marathon, and the marathon.

Furthermore, He became the first professional athlete with cerebral palsy to sign a contract with Nike in 2018, making history and inspiring many people with disabilities. Runner’s World magazine featured him as one of their 2017 Heroes of Running. He is famous for people with cerebral palsy. He is celebrities with disabilities.

11. Keah Brown: journalist, author, and student

Born in 1991, this lovely soul is another outstanding individual with cerebral palsy. Professionally, she is well-known as a journalist, author, and student. She is pursuing a degree in theatre and screenplay.

She is also a disability rights activist, best known for coining the hashtag #disabledandcute in 2017, which went viral and drew the attention of other celebrities such as Sophia Bush and Brie Larson.

Her writing has been featured in Teen Vogue, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire UK, and The New York Times. In other words, she’s doing well for herself, and, incredibly, society gave her a chance. She is now co-writing a musical and launching her career in film and television.

12. Nicolas Hamilton: British racing driver

Nicolas Hamilton is a British racing driver and the half-brother of Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula One World Champion. He was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was two years old, a disorder that affects motor function and coordination.

He drives an automobile that has been particularly adapted with a hand clutch, extra-wide pedals, and a specialized seat. Nicolas became the first disabled driver who score points in the British Touring Car Championship in 2020. Nicolas is one of the Celebrities with cerebral palsy.

In addition, he has competed in the Renault Clio Cup UK and the European Touring Car Cup. Many people with impairments who want to follow their passion for motorsport look up to him as an inspiration.

He also assisted in the establishment of the UK’s first race academy for disabled drivers.

13. Zach Anner: comedian, actor, and writer

Zach is another well-known person who has cerebral palsy. He is an American comedian, actor, and writer who rose to fame after submitting a video to Oprah Winfrey’s ‘Search for the Next TV Star competition.

He eventually won his TV show, ‘Rollin’ with Zach,’ a wheelchair travel show. It first aired in December 2011. Zach recently wrote for and appeared as a guest actor in the Speechless sitcom. A television sitcom about a teen with cerebral palsy.

14. Anne McDonald

Anne McDonald, born in Australia, suffered cerebral palsy due to a birth accident and died in 2010 at the age of 49. As a novelist, Anne fought for people with communication challenges, such as herself. Despite her severe cerebral palsy and completely nonverbal lifestyle, she left an indelible influence on the world.

15. Eric Gores: American actor

Eric Gores is the son of wealthy businessman Alec Gores and an American actor. He was born with cerebral palsy, a disorder that affects his movement and speech. He appeared in the 2005 comedy picture The Kid & I, written by his former neighbour Tom Arnold, who also played his mentor.

The film was inspired by Gores’ desire to become an actor and his friendship with Arnold. Other films and documentaries in which he has appeared include How to Lose Friends and Alienate People and Racing with the Hamilton’s: Nic in the Driving Seat. Eric Gores is one of the Celebrities with cerebral palsy.

He serves as an inspiration to many persons with disabilities who desire to work in the entertainment industry.

16. David Ring: Writer

David Ring is a Nashville, Tennessee-based Christian evangelist whose inspirational sermons about God have gone viral. His biggest accomplishments are TV appearances and a book he wrote, but he’s best recognized for his distinctive line, “I have cerebral palsy… “What’s the matter?”

17. Chris Nolan: Irish poet and author

Chris Nolan was an Irish poet and author born with cerebral palsy, which impacted his speech and movement. He used a special keyboard, computer, and a pointer mounted to his forehead to write.

He attended the Central Remedial Clinic School, Mount Temple Comprehensive School, and Trinity College in Dublin for his education. Dam-Burst of Dreams, his first book, was published when he was 15.

In 1987, he received the Whitbread Book Award for his autobiography, Under the Eye of the Clock.

In 1999, he published The Banyan Tree, a fiction. He was an Aosdána member who won numerous honours and recognition for his work. He passed away in 2009.

18. Jerry Taylor: Athlete

Six-year-old Jerry Taylor underwent 14 rounds of corrective surgery to treat his cerebral palsy. He was in the hospital for a year recovering from this physical trauma.

Despite the odds, Jerry is another cerebral palsy athlete who has become the only person to jog across America using crutches. He has also completed tens of marathons, climbed to the peak of Pikes Peak, and even parachuted.

As a motivational speaker who travels the world, he emphasizes the incredible freedom he experiences, demonstrating to young children with CP that the world is their oyster.

19. Chris Fonseca: American comedian

Chris Fonseca is an American comedian with cerebral palsy, a condition he was born with that affects his speech and movement. He uses a wheelchair and calls himself “Crazy Legs”. He started doing stand-up comedy in college and became the first person with a visible disability to perform on The Late Show with David Letterman.

Chris has also appeared on other shows, such as Evening at the Improve, Comedy on the Road, Entertainment Tonight, and Baywatch. He has been featured in various publications, such as USA Today, The Los Angeles Times, and Daily Variety. He is one of the Celebrities with cerebral palsy.

In addition, He has performed at various festivals, such as the San Antonio Latino Laugh Festival and the Los Angeles Latino Comedy Festival. Chris Fonseca inspires many people with disabilities who want to pursue their passion for comedy.

20. Sophia Warner: UK Athletics’ and commercial director

Sophia Warner, another athlete with cerebral palsy, became a British Paralympian after beginning to run competitively at 19. Her debut in the London 2012 Paralympics came when her CP classification was included, and she finished fourth in the 200m sprint final.

Sophia became the commercial director and United Kingdom Athletics and discovered the Para Triathlon Superhero Series. Interesting facts about cerebral palsy.

Interesting Facts about Cerebral Palsy

The most frequent form of childhood motor disability, affecting 1 in 345 kids in the US, is cerebral palsy.
Damage to the developing brain or faulty brain development, which impairs a person’s capacity to regulate their muscles, is the cause of cerebral palsy.
Different body areas may be affected by cerebral palsy, which can also result in movement abnormalities such spasticity, dyskinesia, or ataxia.
Although the symptoms of cerebral palsy can fluctuate during a person’s lifetime, the condition does not get worse.
Other problems including intellectual disability, epilepsy, vision, hearing, speech, scoliosis, or contractures can also coexist with cerebral palsy.

Conclusion:

Celebrities with cerebral palsy have demonstrated remarkable fortitude, tenacity, and brilliance in overcoming the obstacles their disease presents. These people have achieved success in various spheres, including entertainment, the arts, athletics, and activism, demonstrating that cerebral palsy does not limit one’s ability to succeed.

Their accomplishments, ranging from comedians like Josh Blue and Zach Anner to actors like RJ Mitte and Geri Jewell, have not only served as an inspiration to those with disabilities but also helped to increase awareness and open doors for inclusion.

These well-known individuals have broken stereotypes, questioned traditional views, and paved the path for a more tolerant and inclusive society through their accomplishments. Their experiences exemplify the strength of tenacity, zeal, and the unbreakable human spirit.