Pope family member overcomes adversity with attitude Published June 6, 2008 By Airman 1st Class Mindy Bloem 43rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Makayla Jessup, 9, is like a lot of girls her age. She likes cheerleading and volleyball, playing with her dog, watching movies with her friends, and engaging in multiple other typical pre-teen activities. Makayla has one major distinction, however, that sets her apart from the other children her age. All her life she has had to face a hardship most of us will never have to face. She suffers from cerebral palsy which makes it hard for her to do activities many other people take for granted. Her disability does not seem to deter her. "I have learned if you try to do something and you work at it you can just keep getting better and better," Makayla said. For Makayla, the simple act of walking takes work. "I can move around and I run laps at school, but I can't do as many as the other kids can," she said. "I can move around my room at home, but if I am standing in one spot for too long, I have to sit down. I get tired very easily." She even tries to use her struggles to help encourage other children with disabilities. "There is a little boy in my school who doesn't like to use his crutches," Makayla said. "I know how he feels because I used to not like to use mine. I just tell him if he keeps trying, it will be easier for him. You just can't give up." Perhaps some of that attitude comes from her parents who have always tried to instill in their daughter an indomitable spirit. "We have always tried to teach her she can do anything," her mother, Christina Jessup, said. "I think she handles her disability really well. She doesn't let it get her down very often. She has moments as anyone would, but for the most part she stays very positive. She doesn't let things other people might say upset her. Makayla also gets plenty of support from her twin sister Mckenzie. "She has a hard time in sports," Mckenzie said. "People make fun of her sometimes, so I try to stick up for her. Sometimes it makes me feel weird because I can do more things than my sister and she gets mad at me because I can do things she can't. I think it is unfair for her. I wish she could be like me so she wouldn't be mad at me. "Most of the time she's brave. I think it's cool that a lot of times she doesn't get mad the other kids can do more stuff than she can." Both Makayla and Mckenzie admit they have plenty of sisterly squabbles, but for the most part their relationship is one of love and trust. "They don't get along very well at times because they are like night and day," Mrs. Jessup said. "Her sister is a tomboy while Makayla is a prisspot." "It's a love/hate thing, but the truth is Mckenzie takes very good care of her she does a lot for her and tries to help her out," said father, Staff Sgt. Joe Jessup, 43rd Security Forces Squadron. "She is really good with all the stuff she has on herself and she is good at helping others," McKenzie said. "I am proud of her and hope she keeps up the good work," Makayla recognizes her family's support and appreciates it. "My family encourages me a lot," she said. "They tell me to walk on my crutches even though I don't want to. They are always there to give me a push." Makayla attends physical therapy sessions every Thursday. "It makes me feel better when I think about how far I've come from when I started working - like walking and doing exercises. It makes me feel good." One of Makayla's after school instructors sees her potential and believes Makayla will go far in life. "Her mind is advanced," said Johanna Clark, School Age Program assistant. "In a book we're writing she talks about how she is going to get her PhD and become a congresswoman for the White House and make it easier for people with disabilities. I think that is outstanding. She just thinks ahead of the game and she says she thinks it's not fair they don't have ramps all the way through where the youth center is. Her mind is way beyond her years. "She likes acting, writing and even politics. She is really interested in stuff like that. Her main thing is she wants to be like everyone else. There lots of things she can't do, but she is still trying to accomplish that task. We have a ramp out in the play area but she'll go on the other side so she can be with the other kids. She doesn't let anything stop her from doing what she wants to do. She'd rather be challenged and try to do it herself. I believe she is going to accomplish that." For right now, though, Makayla's future aspirations lean toward singing and dancing, and at recess one may find her playing a game with her friends called "dance party" where they take turns making up dance moves. So the next time you're tempted to complain during physical training or after doing some tedious chore, you might want to think about Makayla, who would trade places with you in a second if given the chance. "The other kids tell me I am lucky when I don't have to run laps," Makayla said. "They say, 'you're lucky -- you're lucky,' but I feel like I'd rather trade places with them."