Cerebral Palsy Information

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I've found that many of the people looking at this page are parents, grandparents, or loved ones of persons recently diagnosed with CP. I know from experience how difficult this time period can be for people. When my daughter was due to come home from the hospital and we received a tentative diagnosis of CP, I was floored. Here was my beautiful little girl who I had longed for, I had wanted a girl who I could dress in frilly clothes, put in gymnastics, ballet, all the "prissy" girl things. I was angry, terrified, refused to believe the Drs, basically I pretty much hit every emotion there is. The only frame of reference I had in relation to CP was a nephew who is severely involved. I didn't know him well at the time, but he is an incredibly loveable happy person.
My greatest fear was that she would have a brilliant mind trapped within a body she couldn't control at all. It's funny now, but looking back, I didn't think about the fact that none of us have complete control of our bodies. None of us know when an accident or health problem will take away our ability to fit within societies set "norm". The first several years can be rough. Heck, all of the years can be. The time spent raising a child is filled with scary times. Yet, it's also filled with wonderful times. No one can say for certain what level your child will attain. No one. Your child may or may not need devices to help them get around or communicate. That's all they are though, devices, something to help. Look at how many people wear contacts or glasses. I know that is different. In time, you get a little more accustomed to the "looks" you get. Sometimes you get a pleasant surprise though. There are times that the looks aren't pity, they are recognition. I've run across people who have children younger than mine, going thru something we've already been through. My child is interested in them I think she likes to see how far she has come. I've had parents with younger children ask me about therapies and treatments we've already tried.

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