When someone has a disability, it’s easy to believe they have only one diagnosis. However, I’ve also had breast cancer, and I fight post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) every day. According to the American Psychiatric Association, PTSD is “a psychiatric disorder that can occur in people who have experienced or…
Scientists at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center have found that using the cancer medicine Velcade (bortezomib) in mice prevents the formation of muscle contractures, or tightness of muscles — one of the most disabling problems faced by children with cerebral palsy (CP) or brachial plexus…
Boundaries. I’ve seen this word floating around cyberspace frequently over the past several months. A litany of self-help and relationship advice blogs speaks extensively about the importance of establishing boundaries. While perusing such content, I typically feel bemused about the notion of boundaries. Although I can intellectually appreciate the…
Participating in adapted hip-hop dancing can improve the quality of life and social engagement in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP), a small study suggests. Titled “Influence of adapted hip-hop dancing on quality of life and social participation among children/adolescents with cerebral palsy,” the study was…
Differing degrees of physical impairment translate into different levels of game performance for athletes with cerebral palsy (CP) who play soccer, a new study shows. The study, “Activity limitation and match load in para‐footballers with cerebral palsy: An approach for evidence‐based classification,” was published recently in the …
Would he give me “the look”? During the week leading up to my first date in what felt like a lifetime, I pondered this question repeatedly. Online dating can become complicated when navigating life with a physical disability. The emphasis of potential compatibility based on physical appearance is augmented with…
One in four children with cerebral palsy experiences behavioral difficulties that seem to be associated with sleep problems and nighttime pain, according to a recent study. The results, “Behavioral difficulties, sleep problems, and nighttime pain in children with cerebral palsy,” were published in Research in Developmental Disabilities.
Tobii Dynavox has launched the next generation of its I-Series, an integrated speech tablet designed for people with disabilities such as cerebral palsy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The tablet features an integrated eye tracking device that uses the Swedish company’s latest sensor IS5 and a…
Some of my favorite friends are dogs. Specifically, my dog Scout. With his soulful, bottomless chocolate orbs and patient intuition, I’ve never known a more dedicated companion. Chronic illness has secluded me to the point of being homebound. Only recently, with the appearance of an unexpected prodding to reenter…
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) — delivering acoustic energy like a person might feel at a concert — may be helpful in treating spasticity in children with cerebral palsy, a recent review and meta-analysis suggests. While no serious side effects were observed in any patients, more research is…