Born in the 1950's, her mother knew early on that something was not right about her baby girl. Valerie did not reach the milestones most babies do during their first year. Thus when the second set of doctors confirmed that she had cerebral palsy, it was not a complete shock. As a young child, Valerie was loved dearly by her two older siblings, and always encouraged to try a little bit harder by her maternal grandmother. Between birth and six years of age her mother was her main source of comfort, security, and love. However, her father was an entirely different story. He had a very short fuse, especially when he had been drinking. Valerie was often the match that would light it Beyond all that there was a bond that only daddy and his little girl understood. This is the story of the first years in a little girl's life. Despite all the odds, and a body that wouldn't always cooperate with her, she made it through, and went on to become the woman she is today.