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HAMILTON — Jessi Hutson's cerebral palsy affects her gestures, posture and speech.

Here hands and arms are curled close to her body and she stumbles as she walks. When she gets tired, she needs her wheelchair to get around.

But for a couple of weeks this past summer, the 24-year-old Hamilton woman made the effort to walk around her neighborhood, handing people fliers she made to collect money for the Joe Nuxhall Children's Center. She also solicited at a Hamilton Kroger to raise funds for the center, a facility that can be used at no charge by organizations that serve mentally and physically disabled people as well as the underprivileged.

Hutson, a Special Olympics basketball player, collected $150.

It may not seem like a lot of money compared to the $2 million needed to build the facility planned for 5 acres at One Way Farm on River Road, but her story is inspiring to many.

Hutson was born in Calcutta, India, with cerebral palsy and was adopted at five weeks old in 1983.

"I'm just so proud of her, that she felt the need to do that and took that responsibility on her own," said Shi O'Neill, her adoptive mother. "She's feels like she's gotten so much from the services (MRDD, Special Olympics) that she wants to give back."

But it was more than just giving back for Hutson.

"I love Joe," she said proudly, though with a strained effort to speak. "I wanted to help out. I just had to go out there and do something."

Hutson met Nuxhall at a Therapeutic Recreation for the Disabled softball league picnic about four years ago. Nuxhall, who calls Hutson his girlfriend, is inspired by her motivation and dedication.

"She's a dynamic young lady," he said. "Even with her physical problems, she's full of life."

And even though she knows it is difficult to get around, Nuxhall said, "She really acts like there is nothing wrong with her.

"I hope it's inspiring to other kids because she knows what (the center) is for and that it will help other kids with disabilities. That what it's all about."

One Way Farm founder Barb Condo will name the gymnasium

in the Joe Nuxhall Children's Center for Hutson.

"I just felt with her dedication playing basketball, the least that we could do is to name it Jessi's Gym," Condo said. "She wants to be a part of something and I think when the gym becomes a reality, she will be a very big part. She will be a symbol."

Hutson hopes she is inspirational to others with — or without — handicaps.

"I just want to give back and others should want to give back," she said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5112 or mpitman@coxohio.com.