When I spotted Gracie on Instagram, I was instantly intrigued by her bright eyes, unique markings, and her ability to use a wheelchair to get around! When our first cat with cerebellar hypoplasia (CH), a non-progressive neurological condition that affects balance and coordination, Mittens was a kitten, we built a wheelchair for him using a tutorial we found online and items we purchased from a home improvement store. Unfortunately, he never took to using it, and so we — like many people with CH cats — assumed felines and wheelchairs simply weren’t compatible.
Since then, I’ve learned lots of special needs cats actually like using wheelchairs, including kitties with paralysis and cerebellar hypoplasia. Anxious to learn more about Gracie and her wheelchair usage, I reached out to her mom Jill, and she graciously agreed to share the story of this remarkable calico kitty! I discovered that Jill, like me and my husband, fosters cats, which is how she met Gracie (that’s also how we met Mittens), and that Jill had no experience with cerebellar hypoplasia when she agreed to take Gracie and her sister home. We also learned that while Gracie’s mobility is limited due to the severity of her condition, her life is filled with adventure thanks to her mom’s dedication to providing this gorgeous girl with lots of stimulation!
We truly enjoyed learning about Gracie, and we hope you will too!
Meow As Fluff: How did you meet Gracie?
Jill: I met Gracie when she and her sister who was non-CH came to me for fostering on May 2, 2022, when she was about five weeks old.
MAF: What was your first interaction with Gracie like?
J: To be honest, my first thought was, “How on earth do I care for her?”
The shelter gave very little info — they didn’t know how much she could do. Quickly, I realized she couldn’t do much, but I was determined to give her a chance.
MAF: What is Gracie’s birthday, and when did you adopt her?
J: Gracie is estimated to be born on or around April 1, 2022, and she was officially signed over to me on June 17, 2022.
MAF: What made you decide to adopt a special needs cat?
J: I chose to adopt Gracie because the alternative for her was to be euthanized. The shelter had decided that because she was unable to walk or stand or sit on her own, she was not a candidate for adoption.
After fostering her, I could see how much she could do, could see her fight and determination, and that I couldn’t let her be euthanized and chose to save her life.
MAF: Can you tell me a bit about cerebellar hypoplasia and how it affects Gracie specifically?
J: Cerebellar hypoplasia is something some cats are born with. It’s where the cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls muscle and movement, is underdeveloped.
This is usually (but not limited to) due to a mom having panleukopenia while pregnant. It can affect an entire litter or only part of it, and it can be mild to severe. In Gracie’s case she is severe and cannot sit, walk, or stand on her own, but her sister was not affected at all.
Cats with CH are not in pain, it doesn’t worsen, and a [CH cat] can have a normal lifespan.
MAF: What are some of the biggest misconceptions you think people have about cats with cerebellar hypoplasia?
J: I think in Gracie’s case, or other severe cats, I think the misconception is that they can’t live a happy life or that they are too hard to care for, which isn’t true at all.
They deserve a chance and I think you can tell early on if they are fighters.
MAF: What are some of the challenges — if any — you and Gracie have faced as a result of her special needs?
J: For the most part, Gracie has adapted so well. She can potty on her own and eats on her own. She does have some accidents, but it’s not for lack of trying on her part.
That’s one of the challenges — I work long hours and this means she can be alone for a long period of time; sometimes nature calls. Sometimes she’s fine, and other times her body just doesn’t cooperate with where she wants it to go, and she sometimes has an accident.
I work very hard to try and keep her life stimulated because otherwise she would lay in her bed the majority of every day.
MAF: What do you wish more people knew about special needs cats?
J: I wish people knew how much they give back to you; how rewarding it is to see them thrive and play and be happy. A lot of people feel sorry for them, but in reality they are happy normal cats, too. They just move differently (in the case of CH cats).
MAF: What are some of Gracie’s favorite activities?
J: Gracie loves to nap like any good cat! She loves going for walks to watch the birds. She loves when she can see outside. She enjoys walking in her wheelchair and playing with her toys!
MAF: Can you tell me the story behind her name?
J: Honestly, when I first got her and her sister, I was asking a friend (who helped with Gracie for quite a while, especially in those early days when she was so small) for ideas. I think she suggested Grace, I added the ie, and it stuck.
I didn’t want to give her a cliche wobbly name. Her name suits her!
MAF: What does she mean to you?
J: Gracie means the world to me. I always try to do the very best for her. I try and give her all the opportunities she can possibly have to experience so much. She is the sweetest girl (with a hint of tortitude; after all, she is a tortie) and captivates everyone who meets her.
I love her with my whole heart, and while there are moments where it can feel overwhelming, she is worth every effort and more. She’s truly my heart and represents such kindness and joy to me.
To learn more about this beautiful cat, you can follow Gracie on Instagram.