The sound of her walker passing my door was familiar. I grew up in one just like it and know the sound well. Her Gator AFO braces on her feet made me smile, because when I was in ones just like hers, I begged my mom to let me get fun ones. I would’ve been on cloud nine if I had Gator ones like hers.
 
“Did you see the girl in the walker and the Gator AFOs?” my dad asked me on move-in day.
 
“Yeah, a lot cooler AFOs than any I ever had,” I responded, jokingly giving Mom a hard time.
 
“You should meet her, looks like CP.”
 
Fast forward a few weeks from that conversation, as I was walking through my dorm building’s back door, I saw that same girl coming towards me. She confidentially walked past her room and right up to me.
 
“I’ve been meaning to meet you. I’m trying to learn how to walk with crutches, could you help me?”
 
I smiled, “I’ve been meaning to meet you too. I’m Jordan. Absolutely, let’s do it.”
 
 And from there, my friendship with Robyn Clarke was formed.
 
And this is her story.


Though originally from Georgia, Robyn Clarke was never meant to be a Bulldog. If you meet her, you’re bound to be greeted with a huge smile, accompanied by her orange and blue nails or a Gator shirt or both. If you ask me, she was born to be a Gator. Orange and blue is in her blood, and UF Athletics is her dream; from a very early age, Clarke was captivated and head-over-heels for every and all things Florida Gators. And now, her undying love for this school is writing the course of her life.
 
Clarke is 18-years-old and is one of the most confident people I’ve ever met. Born with Spastic Diplegia Cerebral Palsy (CP), her determination and confidence are impossible to miss. She’s a freshman sports journalism major here at the University of Florida, fully embracing life in the Swamp. You can find her at Florida volleyball matches, eagerly watching the Florida team that means the most to her; at Florida Football games, cheering and calling plays at the top of her lungs; and around UF’s fully accessible dorm, laughing with friends. Clarke says that being at UF is truly her dream come true, because her dream job is to work for UF Athletics. Though life as a college student mixed with CP does present some challenges, Clarke has never let it slow her down or deter her from her dreams.
 
“It allows me to see the world in a different way, and it gives me a platform to make a difference. And that’s the best part about [having CP].” Clarke says, explaining her positive outlook on her life spent in a walker. Clarke has undergone two surgeries to help her physical situation, grew up using a walker and now also uses a motorized wheelchair to get around UF’s massive campus and is working towards walking with two forearm crutches.
 
Growing up, that strong confidence I told you about was key for Clarke. She says she can only remember one true instance that made her feel different.
 
“When I was 12, a boy said something like ‘You can barely walk’ to me. For a while, that got into my head. I felt different about myself… I started to notice when people would stare at me. And I felt not normal, not good enough and not beautiful.” Clarke says, describing the experience. But when those thoughts and feelings started to seep in, someone very special stepped into her life. When she turned 15, one of her best friends told to pack a bag and that they were heading to Florida. She wasn’t sure what her friend was up to exactly, but she went along with it.
 
Little did she know, one of her biggest dreams was about to come true.
 
As a life-long, die-hard Gator fan, it’s a probably no surprise to you that Clarke is also one of Tim Tebow’s biggest fans. And for a long time, it was her dream to meet Tebow. And that weekend, Clarke found herself in Jacksonville, Florida at the Tim Tebow Foundation Golf Classic.
 
“He’s been my inspiration my whole life, and I had always wanted to meet him.” Clarke told me, recalling the story of that weekend, “We went to his golf tournament, and he came up… he was like ‘It’s so good to see you!’ and he gave me a hug… We kept in touch with his Foundation after that. And then six months later, they granted my W15h to spend time with him. We started in Atlanta and went to Athens for his pre-game show… I’ve been really lucky to be a part of his Foundation’s family.”
 
In 2018, Clarke found herself at Tebow’s Foundation Gala, interviewing celebrities on the red carpet.
 
“I got to talk to all of [the celebrities] that came in… it was so cool.”
 
Tebow’s love and support has carried and helped Clarke through so much. Clarke says that in that time where she began to notice when people stared at her walker, Tebow’s words of encouragement were what reminded her of her worth and that people staring didn’t matter.
 
Now at the University of Florida, Clarke explains that she’s experienced more independence than ever here at UF.
 
“[In college], if something isn’t accessible, you can fix it. And you have a voice to say, ‘Hey, this doesn’t really work.’”
 
 And even socially, Clarke has seen major differences in a college environment.
 
“There’s just a different vibe on this campus. People don’t care [about my disability]… Just overall here, it’s different. And I’ve felt that from the times I’ve come here since I was little. Overall, college has been more accepting.” But Clarke makes in clear that none of her college experience would be possible without her family.
 
“They have always found a way for me to do whatever it is we were doing. They’re my biggest supporters. Definitely.”
 
Clarke expresses that CP has definitely shaped who she is, but in good ways. She credits CP for giving her a passion for helping others. And says that really, CP is a blessing in disguise.
 

While she says it’s her goal to touch millions, I hope Robyn Clarke knows how many people she has touched and continues to touch. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her without a smile. The way she goes after her dreams at full force is such an inspiration. Her faith in the Lord is radiant, and the way she cares for other people is incredible. There’s been weeks where I just offhandedly told Robyn that I was struggling to move that week because of the chronic pain that comes with my case of CP. Robyn has always been intentional about checking in on me or sending me a bible verse to keep me going.
 
Robyn, know that myself and many others are honored to call you friend. Know that I look up to you and your determination. Know that I’ll always have your back, and I am so excited to be part of your journey, to being on crutches and beyond.
 
You will do big things. You will touch millions.
 
Thanks for trusting me to put your story on From 3West.
 
Never lose your determination, faith and joy, friend.
 
Blessed to be living in Gator Nation with you.
 
And with that, I don’t think there’s a more appropriate way to end this one than with a big, wholehearted Go Gators and Go Robyn.

Red hair, a smile and a touch of sarcasm. That is Courtney McConville. Even as she faced one of her toughest surgeries yet this summer, she never stopped finding a way to have fun with it. Whether that was jokingly giving her therapists a hard time or enjoying endless Netflix marathons in the hospital, this summer Courtney tackled surgery, therapy and the hospital with a smile like she’s done all her life.

Courtney lives with Diplegic Cerebral Palsy (CP) and has experienced her fair share of physical difficulties and medical challenges, including nine surgeries.

“Growing up with CP wasn’t easy at all, I think one of the hardest parts was trying to keep up with my friends and family. I would have to run to keep up with them when they were just walking a normal pace. My friends and family would always joke about how they could hear me coming. [One of my] teachers joked that I could never be a spy because my feet were so loud when I walked.” she said, reflecting on how CP made growing up hard but she would always join her family and those closest to her in their humorous outlook because that’s just her personality.

“Yeah, [making jokes does help me cope with CP sometimes]. I think I am very sarcastic and making jokes is just part of my personality. But also, [I am like that] so people see that part of [my personality] and not just [the fact that I have CP]." She continued, “I also joke about my height, so it’s just my personality.”

Courtney has let that side of her personality shine through even when faced with the hurdles of CP such as constant physical and occupational therapy. She said joking with her therapists is one her most favorite things to do.

“I hated and still hate PT. When I was younger and still now, I always give the therapist a hard time. It makes it fun because most of the time they don’t know what to say. My usual line is: ‘You are trying to kill me.’ Some of them like when I make those comments and they make comments back like: ‘You can’t die doing bridges.’ Some of them just get really annoyed and give me a look, which makes it more fun for me.”

Though she may never be a spy and still has to go through constant therapy sessions, Courtney has never let CP slow her down. She plays Sled Hockey and skis, and she says those are aspects that make life with CP really great.

“[Through] playing Sled Hockey and skiing with an adaptive program, I have met so many people that have changed my life for the better. These people have showed me that everyone has their challenges but it’s the way you carry yourself when these challenges happen [that matters] … [I wouldn’t have met] these people if I didn’t have CP. There are many positive things about living with CP.”

Courtney explained how Sled Hockey is just like regular hockey. “[It] is just like regular hockey but you have two sticks instead of one and you sit in a sled that looks kind of like a bucket. The two sticks have spikes on the bottom of them to dig into the ice. The top of the stick is just like a regular hockey stick. On the bottom of the sled, there are blades so you can glide against the ice. The blades under the sled are like the blades on the bottom of hockey skates. When I played this sport, I didn’t feel like the girl with CP, I felt I the girl that was playing with and against a bunch of men - I was the only girl on my team.”

“My ski instructor Tony, is amazing. He had a birth defect so he has three fingers on one hand and is an amputee on [one of his legs]. He taught me everything, between skiing and [many] life lessons that I will take with me forever. He has been with me when I skied side to side down a black diamond and when I totally wiped out. When I totally wiped out and couldn’t get back up he would lift me up. He taught me that life may not be easy and that there will be challenges along the way, but you can do it. Seeing him doing what he loves with the setbacks he has, he showed me that I can do anything.”

Sled Hockey and skiing became important outlets for Courtney. When she was growing up, she explained that it was hard socially because she couldn’t keep up with her friends and couldn’t play the sports they were playing. But she found hockey and skiing and it is easy to see that those two sports completely changed her life in the best ways possible. Courtney went on to explain that life in college is a little easier for her socially than it was in high school.

“Now in college, it’s easier because it’s not a popularity contest. It’s about having friends who accept you and understand you may not be able to do things they can.”

Courtney attends college at The College of New Jersey, majoring in Web Design.

“My biggest dream is to live an apartment in a city like D.C., Philadelphia or LA with a yellow lab and to work in the Web Design field hopefully for the company Apple. I [also] hope to be traveling around the world, public speaking about my journey.”

Courtney’s family has always been behind her 100%. She expressed that her mom is her biggest supporter and best friend.

“My biggest supporter is my mom. She has been with me through the good, bad and the ugly. She has been with me through every surgery sleeping on uncomfortable pull out beds. She has seen me at my highest, like getting accepted into college. She is my mom but also my best friend - I can tell her anything and she will understand. She is one of the strongest people I know. She does everything for others and [expects nothing] in return. She’s amazing and I am so proud to call her my mom.”

When it comes down to it, Courtney says CP has shaped who she is.

“CP shaped who I am because I understand what it is like to be different than the typical person. I understand that if you are different, it doesn’t mean that you won’t be successful. It probably means you are going to be more successful because you think differently than the normal person. But really, [there is no such thing] as a normal person.”

And if she could, Courtney would not change having CP.

“The reason I wouldn’t change having CP is because I am me because I have CP. My life would be completely different if I didn’t have CP and I don’t want my life to be different. I like the person I am and that is because of how I was raised and because I have Cerebral Palsy.”

Courtney is Courtney because of what she has been through.

Courtney is a vibrant, tough, inspiring girl who will not let her physical limitations stop her from living out her dreams.

10 weeks ago, if you were to walk the rehab floor of Nemours A.I duPont Hospital for Children, you most likely would have been greeted with a smile if you stopped by Room 1. 21-year-old, Ryan Fink was Room 1’s resident and he just might have been the friendliest patient on the floor. The Florida native became an example to everyone of how to make the best of every situation as he handed cards to everyone he met with his name and contact info so he wouldn’t lose touch with anyone he met when it was time to head back home to Florida.

Diagnosed with Diplegic Cerebral Palsy (CP), Ryan walks with two canes and has experienced many physical difficulties, specifically in his legs and with mobility. Because of this, he is no stranger to hospitals, surgeries and physical and occupational therapy. Growing up the majority of his life in Vero Beach, Florida, Ryan found himself in Wilmington, Delaware this summer seeking the best treatment for his long term physical situation. This wasn’t his first time in Wilmington though. Ryan found Dr. Miller years ago and had trusted him in various orthopedic surgeries already. So, when Ryan and his family came to the decision to go for his 11th surgery, Delaware seemed like the best option.

“[It’s] a lot. Having to go through constant setbacks is a pain. No pun intended.” Fink joked, referring to what it has been like for him going through multiple surgeries throughout his life. “However,” he continued, “if they will improve the quality of my life and improve my gait, it’s well worth it.”

Living with CP obviously isn’t easy. Ryan recalled that growing up, the hardest thing for him was not being able to play with other kids.

“I remember on the playground [in elementary school], I would play tag with friends around [a covered] pavilion area. Normally, kids weren’t allowed to play under there but because concrete was easier for me to move my walker and canes on [I was allowed to play under there]. Eventually, kids would come up to the pavilion and would ask a teacher who was nearby if they could play under it. ‘Only if you’re playing with Ryan,’ they would say. Still, I couldn’t play on a regular sports team, or move as fast as other kids my age.”

Ryan expressed how making friends has always been difficult. He believes that often he gets stereotyped because of his canes and the way he walks. But in high school, something meaningful happened to Ryan that he will never forget. His senior year, Ryan’s classmates voted him Homecoming King.

“That was one of the highlights of my life. I was so nervous about entering high school, but I soon learned I didn’t have anything to worry about.” Fink said, “Everyone treated me with kindness and I was not picked on or bullied at all. I had no idea that I was that well-known to my graduating class until I found out students were voting for me [as] their Homecoming King. After I won, I was talking to my good friend, Lily Andrea, about how I managed to win. I said it was because I was on a walker. Students saw the walker around campus, knew who I was and voted for me. ‘It wasn’t the walker,’ she said. She meant that it was because of my kind and caring personality.”

Ryan reflected on how his mom was the one to escort him down the field that special night, “It was an honor to have her by my side.” Fink shared that his mother is in fact his biggest supporter and role model.

“She’s always been there for me. Whether I’m anxious, afraid or happy. I can talk to her about anything, and she gladly listens. As far as helping me physically, she helps me the most with laundry, carrying a heavy dinner plate and bringing me to appointments. I thank God that I have such a caring individual by my side. She is my best friend.”

With the support of his mother and the rest of his family, Ryan has been able to make huge strides. In high school, he was involved in theatre, he currently sings in a barbershop quartet and plays the piano. He has learned to drive a car with adaptive hand controls and attends college. Ryan attends Florida Institute of Technology and has big plans for his future.

“I would like to have a family [one day]. As far as [my] career, it is my dream [to] become a physician. If this is not what is meant to be, I will enter the finance industry with my accounting degree. Whether it be medically or financially, I would like to have a career in which I can help others.”

Ryan has never let CP’s effects on his life hinder his positive outlook on life. He believes CP has allowed him to have a better understanding of what life is truly about.

“I believe I have a better understanding of what life is about – specifically, being thankful for the gifts God has given us and not taking anything for granted. We live in such a fast-moving, instant gratification society that needs to sit back and look at the big picture – to realize that no matter how bad things get, they could always be a lot worse.”

Ryan wishes more people would see what he can do rather than what he can’t do when they encounter him and see his disability. But all in all, he wouldn’t change having CP if he could.

“I feel like if I did not have CP, I would have a much different outlook on life – one that takes things for granted. Also, I feel that I would not have as much of an impact on the lives of others if I did not. Being different is good.”

Ultimately, Ryan feels like his canes and his CP are a part of him and he wouldn’t be the person he is without them. Just like when he wheeled the halls of that hospital this summer greeting everyone with a smile, Ryan continues to live a life of joy, perseverance and hope. Despite his physical challenges and all life throws at him, he will continue to stare CP in face, conquer it and live his life out to the fullest.
 
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