Famous People With Cerebral Palsy

Stephen Hopkins

Signer of the Declaration of Independence from Rhode Island who had “Cerebral palsy.” He said, “My hand may shake but my heart does not” as he signed the document.

Geri Jewell

Comedian/Actress. Appeared on The Facts of Life television show.

Christy Brown Irish Writer/Poet.

Christy Brown

The Academy Asard winning film My Left Foot profiled his life. Disabled at birth by athetoid cerebral palsy he eventually gained some mobility and learned to write using his foot. His autobiography My Left Foot became an instant success and was followed by Down All the Days, A Shadow on Summer and Wild Grow the Lilies; he was also an accomplished painter.

daniel day lewis-my left foot

Chris Fonseca

Comedian. Works the American comedy club circuit and has written material for such comedians as Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno and Roseanne Arnold.

Chris Nolan

Irish Poet

Anne McDonald

Australian Writer and Social Critic

Ruth Senkenwitz

Mercer Writer/Lecturer

Thomas Ritter

Attorney/former UCPA Board of Directors. Brother of Actor John Ritter. Father, Tex Ritter, helped start United Cerebral Palsy Associations, Inc.