Wednesday 17 February 2021

Coping with the News Your Child has Cerebral Palsy


Every parent wants the best for their child, and their health and well-being are a top priority. It can be difficult to learn that your child has a medical condition that will impact their day-to-day life, but it's important to stay positive and know that no matter what, they can still have a happy and fulfilling future. Cerebral Palsy will come with challenges, but with the right support and care, you can overcome them together as a family. If you have recently been told your child has Cerebral Palsy, below are a few simple tips to help you cope with the news and move forward.


Research

The best thing you can do as a parent is to learn as much as you can about Cerebral Palsy and how this will impact your child's life. Not every person is going to go through the same thing, but it will affect your child's mobility and coordination and possibly speech. There are plenty of resources online you can look at for more information and support, and ask your family doctor for literature and advice as well.

 

Consider Legal Options

Cerebral Palsy is usually diagnosed when a child is a few years old as it can take this long to recognize the symptoms of the condition. Your child might have developed the condition before birth if there has been a reduced supply of oxygen to their brain, or the mother has suffered from infections such as rubella or smallpox during the pregnancy. Alternatively, Cerebral Palsy could also have developed as a result of injury to the baby's brain during birth. If you think your child's condition has been caused by the latter, you could be entitled to some compensation. Get in touch with specialist Cerebral Palsy solicitors for a consultation and to see if you have a case.


Counseling

Although it's important to recognize that your child can still have a perfectly happy life with Cerebral Palsy, you might still find it difficult to process this news or struggle with the challenges you will face as a parent raising a child with this condition. You must remember to take care of yourself, and talking to a professional counselor about your concerns and frustrations could be a healthy way to learn coping mechanisms to get you through the harder periods. You might also want to consider joining groups that are for parents of children with Cerebral Palsy so you can find a support network of people who understand what you're going through as a family. 


Physical Therapy

Your child will need to go through physical therapy to keep their muscles strong and their body healthy. Your doctor should be able to refer you to a therapist who specializes in working with Cerebral Palsy patients, and they will be able to show you exercises you can do 

at home with your child outside of your regular sessions. Even though your child might find these exercises uncomfortable and be unmotivated to do them, you must keep these up so they can continue making progress with their physical therapy and grow stronger. 


Being a parent of a child with Cerebral Palsy can be overwhelming at times, but it's important to look to the future and try to remain positive about it. If you have recently found out your child has this condition, use these tips to help you start planning for your future and to get the support you need.

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