Staten Island, after meeting in a picnic organized by CP Unlimited in the late 1980s, Rosalind Glasper-Gregg and Harrison Gregg have been inseparable.
“It was an annual picnic for cerebral palsy at that time. That was the beginning of mine and Harry relationship, “said Rosalind, who will turn 60 this year.
This year, the couple, who have cerebral palsy and use wheelchairs, will celebrate 33 years of marriage.
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Cerebral paralysis is a group of neurological disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture. According to the estimates of the centers for disease control and prevention, approximately 1 in 345 children in the US are diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
“He had eyes for her,” said Harrison, 70. “I was a little nervous trying to ask him to marry with me, but finally I did.”
After leaving for more than a decade, the couple married on September 5, 1992, after Harrison proposed to Rosalind at a Christmas party.
‘If I want to see it … I’ll do it’
Although they faced challenges at the beginning of their marriage, they have always supported themselves, they shared.
“He lived in Queens, and he was in Staten Island. After getting married, we could not find a place because it was difficult at that time to find a place for both of us to live together, so we were married and separated by a while, ”said Rosalind. “Finally, they found us a place here.”
Three years after their wedding, in May 1995, the couple finally moved in an installation of accessible apartments for wheelchairs in Rosebank, where they have lived since then.
But even during their three years apart, Rosalind and Harrison claimed to be visited in their respective districts.
“I thought, if I want to see it, and at that time it was $ 60, I will,” Rosalind smiled, sharing that she visited him every weekend.
Harrison also made occasional trips to Queens, a trip that took an hour and a half, recalled.
“I would have to establish transport. That was a challenge in itself. Then, when I went to see her, I had to go to the 30th floor … I was a little scared, “Harrison shared.
‘It is better to live together’
The couple receives support services with 24 -hour staff assistance and supervision in their apartment, designed to help them live independently in their community. These services are provided through CP Unlimited, a non -profit organization based in New York that advocates and provides services to people with disabilities.
“It is better to live together. And as each marriage, we have our ups and downs, because we are two different people with disabilities, so we try to work and help each other, ”said Rosalind.
Rosalind and Harrison work three to four days a week at Staten Island Secure-Doc, where Harrison manages crushing and Rosalind manages scan and computer tasks. The company, which helps create jobs for people with disabilities, specializes in document scanning, file classification, indexation and crushing.
“We all work on the other’s skills at work and try to help each other. We are all basically a family at work and make everything more convenient for people with disabilities, ”Rosalind described from those who work.
Outside work, the couple enjoys attending the church, visiting the casino, listening to music, participating in reading clubs and going to several programs and events.
“Having a disability is not all that you are because I can still do things like other people,” Rosalind said.
‘I hope our love lasts forever’
When asked about her favorite thing of her husband, Rosalind said: “It always makes me laugh,” to which Harrison replied: “I am a Joker.”
“I love him very much and I hope our love lasts forever,” Rosalind added.
They shared that the secret of their lasting marriage is their effort to communicate in the best possible way. In the days when they do not feel their best, they comfort and strive to improve life a little better for others.
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