Raising a child with cerebral palsy requires understanding, patience, and hard work. While your child’s therapists and doctors will handle much of the treatment, there are several things you can do to ensure your child lives an easy and happy life. Cerebral palsy affects people differently, and there is no one-size-fits-all advice for parents and caregivers. However, doing the following things will make you a better caregiver.
- Get organized
Caring for a person with cerebral palsy involves moving a lot of things, and it can be stressful at times. Getting and staying organized helps you to make caregiving less stressful. It also allows you to respond to emergencies fast. As a caregiver, you should keep the following things on hand:
- Emergency contacts
- Appointments
- Medical records
- School contact information
- List of medication
- Lab test and imaging results
- Baby sitters’ phone numbers
- Get help
Take advantage of free resources, most of which are from the government. From early intervention programs to financial assistance and government programs, find out what resources are available to you, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Remember, if your child’s cerebral palsy resulted from a medical error or is a negligent birth injury, a birth injury attorney or cerebral palsy lawyer, can help you file a malpractice lawsuit. This may help to provide cover or offset the cost of treating your child.
- Stay informed
A child with cerebral palsy may need to see many healthcare providers, from their therapist and specialist to pediatrician and more. While the healthcare providers monitor their patients, it is important to stay informed on the health of your child as well. It will come in handy when you are required to make decisions about your child’s health, such as participating in different kinds of treatments or therapy.
- Be your child’s home therapist
Your child will spend time with a therapist, but that doesn’t have to end there – therapy can continue at home. You can be your child’s at-home therapist if you learn how to help them exercise. Exercising helps to strengthen the muscles, build balance, and reduce the aches between doctors’ appointments.
- Help your child stay positive
Children with cerebral palsy may not be able to do the same things as other children. This may make it difficult for them to have a positive outlook. However, they can stay positive with your help. Teach them not to focus on the things they can’t do and instead focus on the things they can.
- Promote an active lifestyle
Although a child with cerebral palsy may not be active at the same level as their peers, it is important that they get moving to the best of their ability. If your child can walk, help them move, and play as much as possible and focus on activities that use muscles in different ways.
Endnote
Raising a disabled child takes patience, empathy, time and hard work. It is a unique responsibility with unique challenges, but the above tips will help you make the life of your child easier.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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