Redefining What’s Possible: Raven’s Journey of Strength and Support in NJ

When Raven Devine was just a toddler, doctors delivered a heartbreaking prediction to her mother: Raven would never mentally grow beyond the age of two.

However, Raven has proven them wrong. She is now a college student, a deep thinker, a gym regular, and a fierce advocate for disability rights. She exemplifies the idea that a diagnosis does not define your destiny.

Raven has spent most of her life in New Jersey and currently resides in Ewing. She lives with cerebral palsy, specifically spastic diplegia. As she puts it, “It’s kind of like my brain and my body have a bad relationship and they don’t know how to communicate with each other.”

Despite the early doubts from medical professionals, Raven’s life has been a story of persistence, creativity, and breaking down barriers that once seemed immovable.

Understanding Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to move, control their muscles, and maintain balance and posture. It is the most common motor disability in childhood.

• About 1 in 345 children in the U.S. has been identified with cerebral palsy.

• Spastic cerebral palsy is the most common type, affecting about 80% of individuals with CP.

• Spastic diplegia, the form Raven has, mainly impacts the muscles in the legs. This often leads to stiffness, tightness, and difficulty with walking or coordination.

(Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - CDC.gov)

Each person with CP is unique. Some may use wheelchairs or walkers, while others walk independently. CP does not define a person’s intelligence, dreams, or potential.

Raven Devine

A Childhood of Possibility, Not Pity

Growing up, Raven’s mom never kept her in a bubble. Instead, she took Raven everywhere. She treated her not as someone to protect from the world but as someone to prepare for it.

Raven’s family fully supported her. Whether she wanted to try basketball, softball, or even dream about joining the FBI, they figured out how to help her. “They never made it about what I couldn’t do—just about how we’d figure it out,” Raven says.

Tight muscles in her legs caused Raven to walk on her toes, leading to frequent falls when she was younger. Because of this, she relied heavily on a wheelchair for stability and safety. However, she underwent a surgical procedure that helped her transition from using a wheelchair to a walker. At home, she designed her own system of railings, ramps, and clever tools like drawstring bags to carry meals independently. Her approach is inventive, confident, and all her own.

From Anxiety to Advocacy

As a child, Raven struggled with anxiety. “I was afraid of everything,” she recalls. “I would limit myself before even trying.”

However, becoming an adult changed everything for her. “I realized no one’s going to do this for me. If I want to reach my goals, I have to try. Even if I fail, it’s just a bump in the road.”

This shift in mindset was inspired not just by her own growth but also by her desire to be an example for others. “If I can help someone with a disability believe in themselves, I’ll do that for the rest of my life.”

Raven now views the gym as a kind of adult playground. Despite facing transportation struggles, she shows up. “Some people would see those challenges as a reason to stay home. I see it as one more thing I’m determined to overcome.”

Raven Devine and Batool, her DDD Service support coordinator from PCIL of NJ.

Building a Community Through PCIL

One of Raven’s turning points came when she connected with the Progressive Center for Independent Living (PCIL). She first heard about PCIL through her high school and later joined after graduation.

“The peer group really helped,” she says. “The groups are small, the people get it, and no one judges you. It’s one of the few places I don’t feel like I have to explain myself all the time.”

PCIL also offered practical support. Through services like peer groups, recreation events, and support coordination, Raven has found the tools she needs to build her life with confidence.

“They gave me direction—like, here’s a program that can help, or here’s what to do next,” she explains. “Even now, I know I can text someone at PCIL and say, ‘I need help with this,’ and they’ll find something for me. That matters.”

What Raven Wants You to Know

Despite her success, Raven is open about the hard days—days when chronic muscle pain and exhaustion make it difficult to stay positive.

“But you can’t live in those days forever,” she says. “You’ve got to keep going, even if it’s slow. Just proving to yourself that you tried—that matters.”

Her advice for others with disabilities?

“Even if a doctor or teacher says you’ll never do something, that doesn’t mean it’s true. That doesn’t mean it’s forever. You can still get where you want to go—just maybe in a different way than you imagined.”

Looking Ahead

Today, Raven is working toward a degree with hopes of helping others with disabilities. She doesn’t know exactly what her future holds—but that’s okay. “In 10 years, I might be completely different from who I am now. And that’s a beautiful thing. We’re all evolving.”

The Importance of Community Support

Building a supportive community is crucial for individuals with disabilities. Organizations like PCIL provide essential resources and connections. They help individuals navigate the complexities of living with a disability. Raven’s story is a testament to the power of community support.

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