By JULIE CARLE
BG Independent News
Kalli Gregory wants everyone to know that March is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month.
She is pushing for people to “Go Green for Cerebral Palsy” this month by wearing something green, snapping a selfie and posting it on social media with the hashtag #trentstriumph.
The hashtag honors her older brother Trent, whose journey with cerebral palsy started after multiple mistakes during his birth. He was given a five percent chance of surviving and doctors, who doubted his ability to lead a full life, told his parents he would never amount to anything or be able to do much.
“Thankfully, they didn’t take that for an answer. They got him into physical therapy and pushed with the schools to integrate him with typical children,” Kalli said.
Because of their persistence, Trent has had a very full life in his 25 years, she said. He graduated from high school with honors. He plays baseball, all positions, but mostly batter, and is the founder of a “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” Fan Club. He even won a Guy Fieri Halloween costume contest with his wheelchair turned into Fieri’s red Camaro and his sister and mom dressed like a taco and a slice of pizza.
But Kalli knows life has not always been easy for her older brother. She saw as people doubted his ability and looked past him. Her love for him and her desire to prove that people with cerebral palsy can do amazing things prompted her to become an advocate in sixth grade. She started writing reports about cerebral palsy and talking about it to her classmates in Castalia, Ohio, where she grew up.
During her senior year in high school, she had to do a project for a leadership class on a topic that was important to her and that would better the community. She chose to focus on cerebral palsy awareness. She planned and implemented an awareness night at a high school football game. She handed out more than 200 informational packets and had the band members tie the designated green ribbons to their instruments. The highlight for her as well as for those in attendance was to watch Trent carry a football down the field to score a touchdown.
“The event went viral with more than 4,000 views. So many people learned more about what cerebral palsy is and saw that people with cerebral palsy can do amazing things if they have the tools, resources, empowerment and encouragement from those around them,” Kalli said. “It’s why I started this and have been going since sixth grade.”
In 2020, she added Kalli’s Creative Corner to her advocacy. Ten percent of the proceeds from the art cards she creates and sells go to the Cerebral Palsy Alliance which supports research and innovation for people with cerebral palsy.
She came up with the name Trent’s Triumph in 2022 as a way to encompass all of her cerebral palsy advocacy under one umbrella.
“Obviously, it is named for my brother, but I want to help people with cerebral palsy enjoy those same kinds of triumphs that they so deserve,” she said.
She also spreads cerebral palsy awareness in a pageant system that takes her to fairs and festivals across the state as the 2022 Miss Sparkle Nation National Ambassador Queen. Trent, who has cheered her on during dance competitions, choir concerts and pageants, travels with her and their mom, Julie, to participate in the same events with his own crown. Not to be outdone by his sister, he was named King of the Beautiful Sunshine Rose Special Needs Pageant, and one day hopes to become a model.
Kalli sees herself continuing the advocacy into her career. The neuroscience major at Bowling Green State University hopes to become a pediatric neurologist, where she can help children. She started at BGSU Firelands and transferred to the main campus where she has been doing research with neuroscience faculty members Drs. Jari Willing and Michael Geusz. She hopes to continue at BGSU for a master’s degree in neuroscience before going on to medical school.
“I always knew I wanted to do something to help people with cerebral palsy, and I wanted to give back to my community. As a pediatric neurologist, I will be working with children with cerebral palsy, but also other neurological disorders such as ADHD, autism and epilepsy. I want to give children, parents and families hope that my family didn’t have when my brother was born,” she said.
For now, Kalli focuses on helping her brilliant brother achieve his goals and spreading the word that people with cerebral palsy may move differently but they are fully capable of doing amazing things.
In addition to the Go Green for Cerebral Palsy social media campaign, Kalli has created a GoFundMe page to raise at least $1,000 in March for the Cerebral Palsy Alliance to support life-saving cerebral palsy research and help to provide tools to those living with the disease. To make a donation, visit the website at https://gofund.me/d6727660. To learn more about those living with cerebral palsy visit her Trent’s Triumph website or contact her at Trentstriumph@gmail.com.
