| Celebrate cerebral palsy and the small victories. No, it | | | | eventually have a home and normal daily |
| does not mean anyone is ever happy that he/she, or a | | | | independence. |
| loved one, has permanent brain damage. It simply | | | | - Bathroom handrails |
| means to be glad for every accomplishment toward | | | | - Shower chair |
| independence, no matter how small. | | | | - Bed rails |
| For example, if you have a child with CP, he/she may | | | | - Lifting chair |
| never walk. However, learning to use the control on an | | | | - Kitchen gadgets |
| electric wheelchair can provide some autonomy. It | | | | - Wheelchair |
| might be the not-so-simple act of buttoning a shirt. | | | | - Crutches |
| People without brain injury take so many things for | | | | - And the list goes on, and on, and on. . . |
| granted. Yet, this seemingly small act should be | | | | Have you ever heard the expression: "Necessity is the |
| considered a large victory. | | | | mother of invention?" In other words, if you cannot do |
| No, it is not fair that you or someone you love has | | | | a necessary activity to be more independent one way, |
| cerebral palsy. But, no one ever said life was fair. It | | | | figure out another, and use those aids. |
| does no good to grouse about all the things that | | | | For example, if you cannot reach the upper kitchen |
| cannot be done. However, it is quite a different matter | | | | cupboards, you can find pieces of furniture that will |
| to celebrate new accomplishments, regardless of how | | | | store your dishes and food. A pie safe is great for |
| small. | | | | food supplies. A movable island can hold dishes and |
| Living Aids | | | | provide a place to prepare meals for those who may |
| As with any other child, a parent should have the goal | | | | be confined to a wheelchair. Likewise, dressing aids |
| to help a child reach his/her full potential in self-care, | | | | are available to help someone with cerebral palsy be |
| independence, and adaptive skills. Kids without special | | | | able to get dressed independently. |
| needs generally reach standardized benchmarks of | | | | So many aids are now available to help the disabled |
| growth and development in an expected period of | | | | live independently, if at all possible. However, it is a lot |
| time. The big difference between a child with cerebral | | | | easier to begin raising a child with special needs with |
| palsy and a "normal kid" is the inability to achieve | | | | the end goal of possible independent living. If you are |
| expected abilities at the appropriate time-if ever. | | | | always doing things for a child with special needs, or if |
| Thankfully, a plethora of living aids have been | | | | you allow others to do things you can learn to do for |
| developed to help children and adults with cerebral | | | | yourself, neither is a favor. Even if it takes 10 times |
| palsy live as independently as possible, under the | | | | longer, at first, and is frustratingly difficult, the goal of |
| circumstances. If you or your child is mildly or | | | | achieving any independence is worth the effort. Then, |
| moderately affected by CP, independence may not be | | | | you can celebrate cerebral palsy and the small |
| an unreasonable expectation. For example, this short | | | | victories. |
| list of living aids may enable you or your loved one to | | | | |