The Friendship Garden: Growing Up with Cerebral Palsy

The Friendship Garden: Growing Up with Cerebral Palsy tells the story of a little sunflower who grows differently from the other flowers in her garden. With the love of friends and family, the care of gardeners, and her own courage, she discovers that being different is a kind of strength. Inspired by growing up with cerebral palsy, Daphne's heartfelt tale, illustrated by her sister Phoebe, shows how every flower-and every child-can bloom in their own special way.

A little sunflower grows differently from the very start-her sprout bends in unexpected ways, her leaves stretch at their own pace, and she needs a bit more care to thrive. With help from kind gardeners, supportive flowers, and gentle therapy, she begins to grow in her own beautiful way. This heartfelt story uses the simple metaphor of a sunflower to help children understand and empathize with those who experience the world differently-like a child with cerebral palsy. Naturally curious and accepting, children are guided to see differences not as something "wrong," but as part of what makes someone unique. The book gently encourages young readers to embrace inclusion, recognize the importance of support-both from professionals and friends-and understand that helping others grow is not only kind, but deeply rewarding.

Author: Daphne Matthews
Publisher: Mission Point Press
Published: 08/11/2026
Pages: 30
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.68lbs
Size: 8.50h x 8.50w x 0.25d
ISBN: 9781968761752
Audience: Ages 4-8

About the Author
Matthews, Daphne: - Daphne Matthews was born at Mott Children's Hospital at the University of Michigan in 1999. She and her identical twin sister, Phoebe, arrived early-Daphne weighing 2 pounds 4 ounces, and Phoebe just 1 pound 12 ounces. They were monoamniotic monochorionic twins, meaning they shared one placenta but had separate umbilical cords. Both were also diagnosed with twin-to-twin transfusion. As an infant, Daphne's brain scan showed periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), a condition that indicated cerebral palsy. She began physical therapy right away. By toddlerhood, she could knee-walk, and at age three and a half she underwent a selective dorsal rhizotomy, a spinal surgery that allowed her to begin walking just four months later. When she was 17, Daphne received a baclofen pump to help manage spasticity. Daphne attended Ann Arbor Public Schools, later graduating from Washtenaw Community College with an associate's degree in early childhood education. She went on to study at Eastern Michigan University, spending time in classrooms with children and teachers. Along the way, Daphne realized that being a teacher with cerebral palsy would be challenging. Still, she knows there are many ways to help children and families learn and grow-both inside and outside the classroom.Through her journey, Daphne has learned that no two people with cerebral palsy are alike. Each child's situation is unique, but all children share the need to be included, supported, and celebrated for what they can do.Matthews, Phoebe: - Twin sisters Daphne and Phoebe Matthews grew up in Ann Arbor after being born nearly conjoined at U-M's Mott Children's Hospital. Daphne, who has cerebral palsy, works as a preschool educator and shares her experiences with honesty and warmth. Phoebe, a graphic design graduate, illustrates their debut children's book. Together, they use their story to foster empathy, inclusion, and understanding.