Cerebral palsy is classified as a movement disorder. Although symptoms vary a lot from person to person, it typically appears early on in life. Here are some assumptions that people make about the disorder, and the truth behind them.
Number Ten: A Child with Cerebral Palsy has a Limited Future
Children born with this disorder have more promising futures than ever. Advancements in science as well as awareness pave the way for a brighter future for them each year.
Number Nine: Caring for Someone with It is Enormously Stressful
Although it does place stress on the family to have to support someone with cerebral palsy, it’s more than manageable. Many states offer support programs that include counseling to help the family through it.
Number Eight: People with CP Will Never be Able to Walk
When the symptoms first become apparent as a young child, it’s easy to make this assumption. It’s important to remember that you cannot always tell how it will go until later on, and that many people with the disorder do end up able to walk.
Number Seven: They Can’t Communicate Effectively
There are speech therapy programs that allow for easier communication. For sufferers with severe speech issues, there are machines that can help, such as yes/no switchboards.
Number Six: If Your Child has It, They Will Only Have Disabled Friends
More and more, schools are placing disabled kids in classes with non-disabled kids. This creates a more varied environment and differing friendships all around.
Number Five: It Makes It Impossible to Have a Job
This may have been true at one point, but it’s an outdated assumption. Programs have emerged since then that allow opportunity in work places for disabled people.
Number Four: People with CP Cannot Get Around
Certain programs such as the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) make it absolutely mandatory that this will not be the case. Public transport has been adjusted accordingly.
Number Three: It’s Hard to Have a Normal Life with It
Many people have CP and end up leading quite normal lives. They may even get married and have children.
Number Two: If You Have It, Society Won’t Accept You
There was a time when disabled people lived more separately than the rest of us. Those times are far behind us now.
Number One: Independence with CP is Impossible
People with this disorder may even live on their own eventually or in a small community living facility. Thanks for reading our article.