by TPS reader zhenga22
It’s My Life by Stacie Ramey revolves around Jenna Cohen, a high school girl who suffers from cerebral palsy ever since her birth. Despite this, she tries to maintain a normal way of living; that is, until she finds out that her condition was accidental. Knowing that she was not supposed to have cerebral palsy, Jenna rethought everything she has done up until this point. She constantly fantasizes about what her life would have been like without cerebral palsy affecting her daily. Moreover, her parents have always made medical decisions for her, leaving Jenna feeling as if she has almost no control over her own life. The story becomes more interesting when Jenna’s childhood crush, Julian Van Beck, moves back to town and into her high school. When Jenna decides to anonymously help him with schoolwork, she realizes she must eventually reveal herself to him. The only drawback is that Jenna feels self-conscious about her condition.
Ramey provides a good portrayal of a person living with cerebral palsy and details the difficulty that person experiences every day. I found myself surprised at how many obstacles someone with cerebral palsy may encounter. However, Ramey adds in a bit of romance to move the story along. This romance, for me personally, is what kept me motivated to turn each and every page. Throughout the book, Ramey reveals Jenna’s internal struggles as she tries to find control for her own life as well as striving for a relationship with Julian. Ultimately, Ramey gives the message that who you are on the inside is more important/valued than what your external shows.
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