Elsie Said:

Mild Cerebral Palsy - What to expect?

We Answered:

I'm not a parent but I have mild cerebral palsy and I'm 21 years old. My parents have always been great to me especially whilst I was growing up, they never let me feel like I was unable to do anything and always supported me. I had phsyiotherapy regularly when I was growing up, which has definitely helped me as I was hardly able to walk when I was little, and now can walk pretty well. I found that sometimes my parents had to be very patient with me as it'd take me longer to do certain things. A lot of people with cerebral palsy often forget they have a disability, I certainly do, I live a very normal life and have coped with things in my own way. I went to a normal school and am now at univeristy. I would not worry too much, I have a couple of friends that also have cerebral palsy who cope really well and are happy. It can be frustrating sometimes and when you're young and have a disability making friends isn't as easy as it is for other children, but I got through it and now have loads of friends. Being supportive is the most important thing you can do, you both sound like really supportive and caring parents so I am sure you will be brilliant. Also, phsyiotherapy is a must as well, and if you can practice some of the exercises your phsyio does with your daughter at home it'd be a plus. There is a lot of help out there for people with disabilities, it is just a case of asking for it. I'm sure everything will be okay and I'm sure your daughter's strong personality will get her through any obstacles. I hope all of this has helped. All the best.

Terry Said:

I have cerebral palsy, and I am looking for a job. I have a Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy .

We Answered:

You can get a job anywhere. Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 prohibits private employers, state and local governments, employment agencies and labor unions from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities in job application procedures, hiring, firing, advancement, compensation, job training, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.

The ADA covers employers with 15 or more employees, including state and local governments. It also applies to employment agencies and to labor organizations.

http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm

You deserve the job as much as the next person. So go out there and apply for a good-paying job that will make you happy. Good luck!

Kenneth Said:

Life expectancy for someone with Cerebral Palsy?

We Answered:

This is highly individulalistic and dependent on other concurrent medical problems that the person with CP may have. Most commonly, if there are swallowing difficulties present, the risk of pnemonia remains high and can definetely shorten the life span. Any concurrent digestional problems also need to be taken into consideration...bowel obstructions can lead to an ischemic bowel which can be life threatening. Since CP is so highly variable, your brother's physician would be the best person to answer this question.

If uncomplicated, he can live well into his middle to late adulthood.

Ron Said:

Please HELP!!! Will a child with cerebral palsy ever walk?

We Answered:

From what I have seen there is a good chance she will always need some help walking but she will and can lead a very normal life. I know a girl at college who has this and she uses crutches to walk with she gets around fine and does really well in her classes. So I would say there is a good chance she will always need help but it will be in her best interest if you keep working with her. It could help lessen the injury. The brain is pretty good at compensating for areas that are not working. Since she is so young she should grow and have a very good life.

Matthew Said:

living with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy?

We Answered:

As someone with fairly mild cerebral palsy.

The short answer is yes. If your other issues, particularly the heart defect, have been addressed...you're good to go for another sixty years.

The long answer is more about quality of life than quantity. You're kind of old for them to still be going at it with the corrective surgeries...or kind of young to be revisiting prior fixes...so I'm going to assume your condition is at least a little bit worse than my own. You're probably not going to get a lot better, and if you slack off on the therapy, you're going to slowly get worse. So, you should expect your life to be about as "normal" as it is today. Depending on your level of mobility, there may be some special considerations when you start thinking about pregnancy and parenting, but nothing that can't be worked around.

You're healthy enough to construct a coherent question on Y!A, something which escapes many nominally "normal" people; you have every reason to expect an excellent...if occasionally challenging...life ahead of you.

Jose Said:

Wii and Cerebral Palsy?

We Answered:

It's somewhat sensitive to delayed or spastic movements. ...but I think you'd still get good visual feeback from it.

...I've heard that there is going to be a "rehab" version of the games coming out. Perhaps their website might say more. It might be more appropriate for someone with a physical challenge.