By Cari Bousfield
Editor’s note: This was an entry in the ‘Who Inspires You’ contest.

One of Jacey Enget’s favorite activities is horseback riding. She also loves to bow hunt, bowl, swim, water ski, snow ski, attend Wizard’s basketball games, and going to concerts. In fact, she has even gotten to go backstage to meet Christian artist, Michael W. Smith and country music superstar, Carrie Underwood. She sounds like a typical 20-year old. And that is how she tries to live her life, even though she has cerebral palsy (CP) and spends much of her day in a wheelchair.

Jacey’s birth was anything but typical. She was born six weeks premature with the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck. Twenty-four hours after she was born, she suffered a seizure. She spent her first two weeks of life in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Due to some bleeding on her brain, the doctors knew right away she would have some kind of disability.

Jacey has known no other kind of life and she would not have it any other way. “I like the challenge,” she says.

One of Jacey’s favorite annual events is the Great American Bike Race (GABR). In fact, she has been involved in every GABR since its inception in 1996 when it was held at the Northbrook Mall. “It’s just like Christmas!” She says. “The whole family gets together!”

Jacey is not only a cheerleader for those who ride in the race, she is also a participant. One year she rode bike seven different times! She loves raising money because she knows it is for a good cause – for people like her who need medical supplies, adaptable equipment, therapy sessions or other necessities that neither insurance nor Medicaid covers.

Recently, funds from GABR enabled Jacey to acquire an adaptable saddle that makes it possible for her to ride her horse all on her own. Riding horse has proven to be very good emotional and physical therapy for those with special needs.

Jacey calls herself an avid outdoors person and belongs to the group Sporting Chance, which gives people with disabilities the opportunity to take part in outdoor activities such as hunting, skiing and fishing. She has also been a day camp counselor for the Bismarck Parks and Recreation and has helped to take care of other kids with disabilities. “I have plenty of experience,” she says.

Currently, while looking for a job, she tries to stay active. She says she doesn’t like sitting around the house. When she’s not doing her regular therapy, she can be found at the YMCA working out on the weight machines, walking, stretching and doing other forms of exercise. Another getaway for her is the mall.

While it may sound like her life with a disability is not all that bad, it comes with many challenges. She has had numerous surgeries to give her some walking ability as well as try to alleviate some of her chronic pain. She has also had three eye surgeries.

Last year Jacey traveled to Gillette Children’s Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota so surgeons could implant a device called a baclofen pump. The pump, which was placed just under her skin above her right hip, administers medicine to her spine and spreads to her muscles to help lessen the pain and tension. The surgery required a six-day hospital stay.

Besides medical issues, she has also experienced the loss of loved ones. In 2007, her 28-year old and 30-year-old cousins were in a car accident where one died and one has a permanent disability as a result. One year later, she lost her 27-year old sister, Lindsay, very suddenly and unexpectedly. Jacey says that her older sister was like a second mother to her and her younger brother. But, just as her disability has taught her, she knows her life must go on, no matter how hard the challenge or difficult the situation.

Watching this young woman take on her life with such a positive attitude is truly an inspiration to all of those around her — from those with disabilities of their own to the parents of a special needs child. Without having to say a word her message is loud and clear, ‘Never let a disability get in your way.’

Cari and her husband Robert are special needs parents to their daughter, Faith. Cari invites you to follow along in their journey at www.faithsmomsblog.blogspot.com