I have a face, a countenance that I reserve for speaking with doctors who are quick to discount me and teachers who doubted my intelligence. It’s the same one I wore as a teenager in my individualized education programs. Behind my unwavering expression, I keep a mindset of determination…
Gratitude sounds easy, but it’s also easy to forget. We become absorbed in our lives and giving thanks is the last thing on our minds. But being thankful can make us happier. No matter your disability, there is always something for which to be thankful. I am happy despite…
The energy children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) spend to move on a manual wheelchair is equal to or lesser than that spent on walking in patients with a lower level of disability, a study suggests. This energy expenditure can be reliably measured by counting the total number…
Women with cerebral palsy (CP) are more likely to experience pregnancy complications, including preterm birth and the need for cesarean section, a new study suggests. The study, “Pregnancy outcome in women with cerebral palsy: A nationwide population‐based cohort study,” was published in Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica.
Resistance training exercises can improve muscle strength and motor skills in children with cerebral palsy (CP), according to a recent review study. More studies, however, are necessary to understand the clinical relevance of the results and find the best training regimens, researchers noted. The study, “Impact of Resistance…
Advocate. This was a badge I unconsciously affixed to my vest as a child. Watching my mother fight tirelessly for my educational rights, inclusion, respect, and dignity in every sphere colored my world. Translated to me through her actions, relationships with my doctors, teachers, therapists, and every other person…
Accessibility is a concern when you have a disability such as cerebral palsy. One step is like a hundred if you use a wheelchair or have mobility issues. I have tried to create an accessible home environment, but money is always an issue. If cost were not a problem,…
Motor, cognitive, and speech impairments are more severe in infants with cerebral palsy associated with congenital Zika syndrome (CZS), a study has found. The study, “Cerebral Palsy in Children With Congenital Zika Syndrome: A 2-Year Neurodevelopmental Follow-up,” was published in the Journal of Child Neurology. Cerebral…
Including virtual reality therapy in rehabilitation programs can be a positive and enjoyable way of improving balance and walking ability in children with cerebral palsy (CP), according to a recent review. In line with the available evidence, its researchers advise using virtual reality therapy as a complement to conventional…
“Did you know you were going to get better?” His question reverberates through the phone line. Recounting what feels like a century during which I was bedbound conjures a spectrum of emotions. Tempering my words with gentle truth, I tell him that I didn’t. I explain that over a lifetime…