Hayley, not to worry.  Life expectancy is NOT shorter in folks that do
not have severe CP or additional serious health problems.  What we do
face are aging symptoms earlier--osteoarthritis and associated stiffness
and pain.  So, let's say you're an able-bodied person that may not need
a cane until they're 80.  Someone with mild/moderate CP MAY need that
cane at 50.

It sucks, but it's not the end of the world.