#cerebral palsy symptom

[kidsorthopedic]

Understanding Cerebral Palsy: Comprehensive Insights for Children’s Health

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common motor disability in childhood, affecting movement and posture. It results from brain damage or abnormal brain development before, during, or after birth. This article delves into the causes, types, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and management of cerebral palsy, providing a comprehensive guide for parents, caregivers, and healthcare professionals dedicated to improving the lives of children with CP.

Understanding Cerebral Palsy

Definition and Overview

Cerebral palsy is a group of permanent movement disorders that appear in early childhood. It is caused by damage to or abnormal development of the brain areas that control movement, balance, and posture. CP is characterized by impaired movement, muscle tone, and motor skills. The severity and symptoms of CP vary widely among affected children, ranging from mild to severe.

Causes of Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is primarily caused by brain damage or abnormal brain development, which can occur due to various factors:

Prenatal Causes: These include genetic mutations, maternal infections (such as rubella or cytomegalovirus), exposure to toxins, and placental abnormalities.

Perinatal Causes: Brain damage during childbirth can result from oxygen deprivation (asphyxia), traumatic delivery, or complications such as umbilical cord prolapse.

Postnatal Causes: Brain injuries after birth, such as infections (meningitis or encephalitis), head trauma, or severe jaundice, can lead to CP.

Types of Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is classified into several types based on the nature and distribution of movement disorders:

Spastic Cerebral Palsy: The most common type, characterized by increased muscle tone (spasticity) leading to stiff and awkward movements. It is further categorized into:

Spastic Hemiplegia: Affects one side of the body (arm and leg on the same side).

Spastic Diplegia: Primarily affects the legs, with the arms less involved.

Spastic Quadriplegia: Affects all four limbs, often accompanied by other impairments such as intellectual disability or seizures.

Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy: Characterized by involuntary movements, including dystonia (twisting and repetitive movements) and choreoathetosis (irregular, unpredictable movements). These movements are often exaggerated by stress and disappear during sleep.

Ataxic Cerebral Palsy: Involves poor coordination and balance, leading to shaky or unsteady movements. Children with ataxic CP may have difficulty with precise movements, such as writing or buttoning a shirt.

Mixed Cerebral Palsy: A combination of symptoms from the above types, with no single movement disorder predominating. This type occurs when multiple areas of the brain are affected.

Symptoms and Early Signs

The symptoms of cerebral palsy vary depending on the type and severity of the condition. Common early signs and symptoms include:

Developmental Delays: Delays in reaching motor milestones, such as rolling over, sitting, crawling, or walking.

Abnormal Muscle Tone: Either increased muscle tone (hypertonia) leading to stiffness or decreased muscle tone (hypotonia) resulting in floppiness.

Movement Abnormalities: Involuntary movements, uncoordinated or jerky movements, or difficulty with precise motor tasks.

Postural Abnormalities: Difficulty maintaining balance and posture, with a tendency to lean to one side or adopt unusual positions.

Reflex Abnormalities: Persistent primitive reflexes, such as the Moro reflex or the tonic neck reflex, beyond the typical age of disappearance.

Other Symptoms: Feeding difficulties, excessive drooling, speech delays, vision or hearing impairments, and seizures.

Diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy

Diagnosing cerebral palsy involves a comprehensive evaluation by healthcare professionals, including pediatricians, neurologists, and developmental specialists. The diagnostic process typically includes:

Medical History: Detailed history of the child’s prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal periods, including any complications during pregnancy, birth, or early infancy.

Physical Examination: Assessment of muscle tone, motor skills, reflexes, posture, and coordination.

Developmental Screening: Evaluation of developmental milestones and identification of any delays or abnormalities.

Imaging Studies: Brain imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans, to identify brain abnormalities or damage.

Additional Tests: Depending on the child’s symptoms, additional tests may include genetic testing, metabolic screening, or electroencephalography (EEG) to assess brain activity.

Treatment and Management

Cerebral palsy is a lifelong condition, but early intervention and comprehensive management can significantly improve a child’s quality of life. Treatment and management strategies include:

Medical Interventions:

Medications: Muscle relaxants, antispasmodics, and medications for managing seizures or pain.

Botulinum Toxin Injections: Used to reduce spasticity and improve muscle function.

Therapies:

Physical Therapy: Focuses on improving muscle strength, coordination, balance, and mobility through exercises and specialized equipment.

Occupational Therapy: Helps children develop fine motor skills and perform daily activities independently.

Speech Therapy: Addresses speech and language difficulties, as well as feeding and swallowing issues.

Aquatic Therapy: Utilizes water-based exercises to enhance muscle strength, flexibility, and coordination.

Assistive Devices and Equipment:

Orthopedic Devices: Braces, splints, and orthotic devices to support posture and movement.

Mobility Aids: Wheelchairs, walkers, and crutches to enhance mobility and independence.

Communication Aids: Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices to assist with speech and language difficulties.

Surgical Interventions:

Orthopedic Surgery: Corrects musculoskeletal abnormalities, such as hip dislocations, scoliosis, or contractures.

Neurosurgery: Procedures like selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) to reduce spasticity by cutting specific nerve roots in the spinal cord.

Alternative and Complementary Therapies:

Hippotherapy: Therapeutic horseback riding to improve balance, coordination, and muscle strength.

Music Therapy: Uses music to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs.

Education and Support

Children with cerebral palsy often require specialized educational programs tailored to their unique needs. Early intervention programs and individualized education plans (IEPs) are essential for optimizing cognitive and social development. Schools and educators play a crucial role in providing a supportive and inclusive learning environment.

Emotional and Psychological Support

Living with cerebral palsy can be challenging for both children and their families. Emotional and psychological support is vital to address the social and emotional aspects of CP. Support strategies include:

Counseling and Therapy: Individual or family therapy to address emotional challenges, stress, and coping mechanisms.

Support Groups: Connecting with other families and individuals affected by cerebral palsy to share experiences, resources, and support.

Respite Care: Providing temporary relief for caregivers to reduce stress and prevent burnout.

Advocacy: Promoting awareness, acceptance, and inclusion of children with cerebral palsy in society.

Long-Term Outlook and Quality of Life

The long-term outlook for children with cerebral palsy varies depending on the severity of the condition and the effectiveness of early interventions and ongoing management. Many individuals with CP lead fulfilling lives, pursuing education, careers, and personal interests. The key to enhancing quality of life lies in:

Early Intervention: Timely and appropriate interventions can maximize a child’s developmental potential and improve long-term outcomes.

Comprehensive Care: A multidisciplinary approach involving healthcare professionals, therapists, educators, and caregivers to address the diverse needs of children with CP.

Empowerment and Independence: Encouraging children to develop skills and independence, fostering self-esteem and confidence.

Community Inclusion: Creating an inclusive environment that supports participation in social, recreational, and educational activities.

Recent Advances and Research

Advancements in medical research and technology continue to improve the understanding and management of cerebral palsy. Key areas of research and innovation include:

Genetic and Molecular Research: Investigating the genetic and molecular basis of cerebral palsy to identify potential targets for therapy.

Stem Cell Therapy: Exploring the potential of stem cell therapy to repair brain damage and improve motor function.

Neuroplasticity: Understanding the brain’s ability to reorganize and adapt, leading to new therapeutic approaches for enhancing motor skills and function.

Robotics and Assistive Technology: Developing advanced robotic devices and assistive technologies to improve mobility and independence.

Telehealth: Utilizing telehealth platforms to provide remote consultations, therapy sessions, and support for families, especially in underserved areas.

Conclusion

Cerebral palsy is a complex and lifelong condition that requires a multifaceted approach to management and care. Understanding the causes, types, symptoms, and treatment options is essential for providing effective support to children with CP and their families. Early intervention, comprehensive care, and ongoing research are key to improving the quality of life for individuals with cerebral palsy. By fostering an inclusive and supportive environment, we can help children with cerebral palsy reach their full potential and lead fulfilling lives.

[pine-arten]

I wonder , does Ruskat need any mobility aids? Or use any , for that matter

yes!! his cerebral palsy mostly effects his legs, making it difficult to walk. while he doesn't use his mobility aids as much when he's at like, home, he does outside of it

he most commonly uses arm crutches, as his disability doesn't effect his arms (meaning he can be strong with them). however he does have times where it does get bad, meaning it can hurt to just try and walk (even with the crutches). So he also has a wheelchair he can use for those times.

here's him with his crutches. i don't have any drawings of his wheelchair, because wheelchairs are super hard to draw. just imagine it would be as decked out and cool looking.

[jamiesonwolf]

The Lessons I've Learned

The little yellow magnet that started it all. Ten years ago, my life changed not once, but twice. The first time it changed, I had no control over what happened, and it ripped over my body like a storm. The second time it changed, I was the one in control, standing in the middle of that storm against the onslaught of my body. I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis ten years ago in April of…

[trishlafoundation]

Get Best Cerebral Palsy Occupational Therapy in India | Trishla Foundation 

Trishla Foundation provides leading cerebral palsy occupational therapy in India, focusing on enhancing daily living skills and promoting independence. Their expert therapists use customized interventions to help individuals achieve their fullest potential in personal and social functioning.

[mobilityimpairment]

Navigating Cerebral Palsy: Symptoms Decoded and Treatment Insights

Navigating Cerebral Palsy: Unravel the symptoms and gain valuable insights into treatment options with our comprehensive guide. Explore the complexities of this neurological condition, understand its impact on daily life, and discover effective strategies for managing symptoms. Empower yourself with knowledge to support individuals with cerebral palsy on their journey to a fulfilling life."

[trans-axolotl]

also in regards to that last article about varied ways of thinking about psychosis/altered states that don't just align with medical model or carceral psychiatry---I always love sharing about Bethel House and their practices of peer support for schizophrenia that are founded on something called tojisha kenkyu, but I don't see it mentioned as often as things like HVN and Soteria House.

ID: [A colorful digital drawing of a group of people having a meeting inside a house while it snows outside.]

"What really set the stage for tōjisha-kenkyū were two social movements started by those with disabilities. In the 1950s, a new disability movement was burgeoning in Japan, but it wasn’t until the 1970s that those with physical disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, began to advocate for themselves more actively as tōjisha. For those in this movement, their disability is visible. They know where their discomfort comes from, why they are discriminated against, and in what ways they need society to change. Their movement had a clear sense of purpose: make society accommodate the needs of people with disabilities. Around the same time, during the 1970s, a second movement was started by those with mental health issues, such as addiction (particularly alcohol misuse) and schizophrenia. Their disabilities are not always visible. People in this second movement may not have always known they had a disability and, even after they identify their problems, they may remain uncertain about the nature of their disability. Unlike those with physical and visible disabilities, this second group of tōjisha were not always sure how to advocate for themselves as members of society. They didn’t know what they wanted and needed from society. This knowing required new kinds of self-knowledge.

As the story goes, tōjisha-kenkyū emerged in the Japanese fishing town of Urakawa in southern Hokkaido in the early 2000s. It began in the 1980s when locals who had been diagnosed with psychiatric disorders created a peer-support group in a run-down church, which was renamed ‘Bethel House’. The establishment of Bethel House (or just Bethel) was also aided by the maverick psychiatrist Toshiaki Kawamura and an innovative social worker named Ikuyoshi Mukaiyachi. From the start, Bethel embodied the experimental spirit that followed the ‘antipsychiatry’ movement in Japan, which proposed ideas for how psychiatry might be done differently, without relying only on diagnostic manuals and experts. But finding new methods was incredibly difficult and, in the early days of Bethel, both staff and members often struggled with a recurring problem: how is it possible to get beyond traditional psychiatric treatments when someone is still being tormented by their disabling symptoms? Tōjisha-kenkyū was born directly out of a desperate search for answers.

In the early 2000s, one of Bethel’s members with schizophrenia was struggling to understand who he was and why he acted the way he did. This struggle had become urgent after he had set his own home on fire in a fit of anger. In the aftermath, he was overwhelmed and desperate. At his wits’ end about how to help, Mukaiyachi asked him if perhaps he wanted to kenkyū (to ‘study’ or ‘research’) himself so he could understand his problems and find a better way to cope with his illness. Apparently, the term ‘kenkyū’ had an immediate appeal, and others at Bethel began to adopt it, too – especially those with serious mental health problems who were constantly urged to think about (and apologise) for who they were and how they behaved. Instead of being passive ‘patients’ who felt they needed to keep their heads down and be ashamed for acting differently, they could now become active ‘researchers’ of their own ailments. Tōjisha-kenkyū allowed these people to deny labels such as ‘victim’, ‘patient’ or ‘minority’, and to reclaim their agency.

Tōjisha-kenkyū is based on a simple idea. Humans have long shared their troubles so that others can empathise and offer wisdom about how to solve problems. Yet the experience of mental illness is often accompanied by an absence of collective sharing and problem-solving. Mental health issues are treated like shameful secrets that must be hidden, remain unspoken, and dealt with in private. This creates confused and lonely people, who can only be ‘saved’ by the top-down knowledge of expert psychiatrists. Tōjisha-kenkyū simply encourages people to ‘study’ their own problems, and to investigate patterns and solutions in the writing and testimonies of fellow tōjisha.

Self-reflection is at the heart of this practice. Tōjisha-kenkyū incorporates various forms of reflection developed in clinical methods, such as social skills training and cognitive behavioural therapy, but the reflections of a tōjisha don’t begin and end at the individual. Instead, self-reflection is always shared, becoming a form of knowledge that can be communally reflected upon and improved. At Bethel House, members found it liberating that they could define themselves as ‘producers’ of a new form of knowledge, just like the doctors and scientists who diagnosed and studied them in hospital wards. The experiential knowledge of Bethel members now forms the basis of an open and shared public domain of collective knowledge about mental health, one distributed through books, newspaper articles, documentaries and social media.

Tōjisha-kenkyū quickly caught on, making Bethel House a site of pilgrimage for those seeking alternatives to traditional psychiatry. Eventually, a café was opened, public lectures and events were held, and even merchandise (including T-shirts depicting members’ hallucinations) was sold to help support the project. Bethel won further fame when their ‘Hallucination and Delusion Grand Prix’ was aired on national television in Japan. At these events, people in Urakawa are invited to listen and laugh alongside Bethel members who share stories of their hallucinations and delusions. Afterwards, the audience votes to decide who should win first prize for the most hilarious or moving account. One previous winner told a story about a failed journey into the mountains to ride a UFO and ‘save the world’ (it failed because other Bethel members convinced him he needed a licence to ride a UFO, which he didn’t have). Another winner told a story about living in a public restroom at a train station for four days to respect the orders of an auditory hallucination. Tōjisha-kenkyū received further interest, in and outside Japan, when the American anthropologist Karen Nakamura wrote A Disability of the Soul: An Ethnography of Schizophrenia and Mental Illness in Contemporary Japan (2013), a detailed and moving account of life at Bethel House. "

-Japan's Radical Alternative to Psychiatric Diagnosis by Satsuki Ayaya and Junko Kitanaka

[surinderbhalla]

From Clues to Cures Early Signs of Stroke and Prevention Strategies!

Stroke is a devastating medical condition that can wreak havoc on individuals and their loved ones. However, guess what? Amid this darkness, there is a ray of hope! The early recognition of stroke symptoms can mean the difference between life and death. It can turn the tide and increase the chances of a full recovery. So, buckle up and get ready to dive into the fascinating world of stroke…

[cripplecharacters]

Where to Start Your Research When Writing a Disabled Character

[large text: Where to Start Your Research When Writing a Disabled Character]

So you have decided that you want to make a disabled character! Awesome. But what's next? What information should you decide on at the early phrase of making the character?

This post will only talk about the disability part of the character creation process. Obviously, a disabled character needs a personality, interests, and backstory as every other one. But by including their disability early in the process, you can actually get it to have a deeper effect on the character - disability shouldn't be their whole life, but it should impact it. That's what disabilities do.

If you don't know what disability you would want to give them in the first place;

[large text: If you don't know what disability you would want to give them in the first place;]

Start broad. Is it sensory, mobility related, cognitive, developmental, autoimmune, neurodegenerative; maybe multiple of these, or maybe something else completely? Pick one and see what disabilities it encompasses; see if anything works for your character. Or...

If you have a specific symptom or aid in mind, see what could cause them. Don't assume or guess; not every wheelchair user is vaguely paralyzed below the waist with no other symptoms, not everyone with extensive scarring got it via physical trauma. Or...

Consider which disabilities are common in real life. Cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, stroke, cataracts, diabetes, intellectual disability, neuropathy, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, thyroid disorders, autism, dwarfism, arthritis, cancers, brain damage, just to name a few.

Decide what specific type of condition they will have. If you're thinking about them having albinism, will it be ocular, oculocutaneous, or one of the rare syndrome-types? If you want to give them spinal muscular atrophy, which of the many possible onsets will they have? If they have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which one out of the 13 different types do they have? Is their amputation below, or above the knee (it's a major difference)? Not all conditions will have subtypes, but it's worth looking into to not be surprised later. This will help you with further research.

If you're really struggling with figuring out what exact disability would make sense for your character, you can send an ask. Just make sure that you have tried the above and put actual specifics in your ask to give us something to work with. You can also check out our "disabled character ideas" tag.

Here are some ideas for a character using crutches.

Here are some ideas for a character with a facial difference (obligatory link: what is a facial difference?).

If you already know what disability your character is going to have;

[large text: If you already know what disability your character is going to have;]

Start by reading about the onset and cause of the condition. It could be acquired, congenital, progressive, potentially multiple of these. They could be caused by an illness, trauma, or something else entirely. Is your character a congenital amputee, or is it acquired? If acquired - how recently? Has it been a week, or 10 years? What caused them to become disabled - did they have meningitis, or was it an accident? Again, check what your options are - there are going to be more diverse than you expect.

Read about the symptoms. Do not assume or guess what they are. You will almost definitely discover something new. Example: a lot of people making a character with albinism don't realize that it has other symptoms than just lack of melanin, like nystagmus, visual impairment, and photophobia. Decide what your character experiences, to what degree, how frequently, and what do they do (or don't do) to deal with it.

Don't give your character only the most "acceptable" symptoms of their disability and ignore everything else. Example: many writers will omit the topic of incontinence in their para- and tetraplegic characters, even though it's extremely common. Don't shy away from aspects of disability that aren't romanticized.

Don't just... make them abled "because magic". If they're Deaf, don't give them some ability that will make them into an essentially hearing person. Don't give your blind character some "cheat" so that they can see, give them a cane. Don't give an amputee prosthetics that work better than meat limbs. To have a disabled character you need to have a character that's actually disabled. There's no way around it.

Think about complications your character could experience within the story. If your character wears their prosthetic a lot, they might start to experience skin breakdown or pain. Someone who uses a wheelchair a lot has a risk of pressure sores. Glowing and Flickering Fantasy Item might cause problems for someone photophobic or photosensitive. What do they do when that happens, or how do they prevent that from happening?

Look out for comorbidities. It's rare for disabled people to only have one medical condition and nothing else. Disabilities like to show up in pairs. Or dozens.

If relevant, consider mobility aids, assistive devices, and disability aids. Wheelchairs, canes, rollators, braces, AAC, walkers, nasal cannulas, crutches, white canes, feeding tubes, braillers, ostomy bags, insulin pumps, service dogs, trach tubes, hearing aids, orthoses, splints... the list is basically endless, and there's a lot of everyday things that might count as a disability aid as well - even just a hat could be one for someone whose disability requires them to stay out of the sun. Make sure that it's actually based on symptoms, not just your assumptions - most blind people don't wear sunglasses, not all people with SCI use a wheelchair, upper limb prosthetics aren't nearly as useful as you think. Decide which ones your character could have, how often they would use them, and if they switch between different aids.

Basically all of the above aids will have subtypes or variants. There is a lot of options. Does your character use an active manual wheelchair, a powerchair, or a generic hospital wheelchair? Are they using high-, or low-tech AAC? What would be available to them? Does it change over the course of their story, or their life in general?

If relevant, think about what treatment your character might receive. Do they need medication? Physical therapy? Occupational therapy? Orientation and mobility training? Speech therapy? Do they have access to it, and why or why not?

What is your character's support system? Do they have a carer; if yes, then what do they help your character with and what kind of relationship do they have? Is your character happy about it or not at all?

How did their life change after becoming disabled? If your character goes from being an extreme athlete to suddenly being a full-time wheelchair user, it will have an effect - are they going to stop doing sports at all, are they going to just do extreme wheelchair sports now, or are they going to try out wheelchair table tennis instead? Do they know and respect their new limitations? Did they have to get a different job or had to make their house accessible? Do they have support in this transition, or are they on their own - do they wish they had that support?

What about *other* characters? Your character isn't going to be the only disabled person in existence. Do they know other disabled people? Do they have a community? If your character manages their disability with something that's only available to them, what about all the other people with the same disability?

What is the society that your character lives in like? Is the architecture accessible? How do they treat disabled people? Are abled characters knowledgeable about disabilities? How many people speak the local sign language(s)? Are accessible bathrooms common, or does your character have to go home every few hours? Is there access to prosthetists and ocularists, or what do they do when their prosthetic leg or eye requires the routine check-up?

Know the tropes. If a burn survivor character is an evil mask-wearer, if a powerchair user is a constantly rude and ungrateful to everyone villain, if an amputee is a genius mechanic who fixes their own prosthetics, you have A Trope. Not all tropes are made equal; some are actively harmful to real people, while others are just annoying or boring by the nature of having been done to death. During the character creation process, research what tropes might apply and just try to trace your logic. Does your blind character see the future because it's a common superpower in their world, or are you doing the ancient "Blind Seer" trope?

Remember, that not all of the above questions will come up in your writing, but to know which ones won't you need to know the answers to them first. Even if you don't decide to explicitly name your character's condition, you will be aware of what they might function like. You will be able to add more depth to your character if you decide that they have T6 spina bifida, rather than if you made them into an ambiguous wheelchair user with ambiguous symptoms and ambiguous needs. Embrace research as part of your process and your characters will be better representation, sure, but they will also make more sense and seem more like actual people; same with the world that they are a part of.

This post exists to help you establish the basics of your character's disability so that you can do research on your own and answer some of the most common ("what are symptoms of x?") questions by yourself. If you have these things already established, it will also be easier for us to answer any possible questions you might have - e.g. "what would a character with complete high-level paraplegia do in a world where the modern kind of wheelchair has not been invented yet?" is more concise than just "how do I write a character with paralysis?" - I think it's more helpful for askers as well; a vague answer won't be of much help.

I hope that this post is helpful,

mod Sasza

[capricorn-0mnikorn]

Let's play a little game, shall we? ("Professional Advice for the Disabled" edition)

Context:

Back in September, 2012, I came upon an online pamphlet titled "Living With C.P." from The Ontario Foundation for Cerebral Palsy.

And in the middle of the pamphlet was a paragraph that was just two (moderately long) sentences.

The Game:

It's a one-question multiple choice quiz. I'll give you the first sentence, and you pick the sentence that you think comes next. Because it's a long sentence, and I'm not sure it'll fit in Tumblr's poll fields, I'll write each choice out in full, marked "1," "2," "3," "4," and "5," and paraphrase in the poll itself. Okay?

The First Sentence:

It can be frustrating for adults to deal with a health care system that appears to have little knowledge or interest regarding the changing needs of aging with a disability.

What Comes Next?

A healthy, well-balanced, diet, combined with as much exercise as you can manage, and a regular sleep routine, is beneficial to your mental and physical well-being.

A trusted friend or family member, who knows you and your symptoms, can help explain your situation to your healthcare provider.

Maintaining a strong social network, especially among your fellow patients, can help reduce stress, and combat feelings of loneliness.

A positive attitude makes a big difference, and developing relaxation techniques and coping skills can have a beneficial effect on mental and physical health.

A diary of your daily routine, especially keeping track of your changing abilities, can be a useful tool for you and your healthcare provider.

Let's see if we can match with with Service Professionals (I'll reveal the actual answer at the end of the week, once the poll closes).

If you vote, please reblog, to get this outside my private corner.

[brightlotusmoon]

I remember being shuffled around to random specialists who looked at my cerebral palsy and epilepsy and fibromyalgia and ADHD and still said I was fine. My lawyer was extremely good and got me a very sympathetic judge he knew well and vocational expert who firmly determined I needed the SSDI. The sheer fact that I was made to run around to a bunch of different doctors and fill out so many forms and prove every single symptom was insane.

The judge said he'd read through all 70 printed pages of my LiveJournal entries describing my seizures for years and decided that between that and the mixed cerebral palsy I absolutely deserved SSDI and he was very glad my husband and my cats helped me out.

This was back in 2012. I filed in 2010. In fact, I hired the lawyer who helped my friend, who was his fastest case in decades, and this woman had over forty medical conditions. Most people filing for SSDI are not as lucky.

And this is just SSDI. I am allowed to actually build a savings account, be married legally and stay married, and live my life without agencies peering over my shoulder.

I know an older couple who chose to get divorced and live apart rather than lose the wife's disability support.

[kidsorthopedic]

What Is Cerebral Palsy?

A number of disorders of the developing brain affecting body movement, posture and muscle coordination.

Caused by damage to one or     more specific areas of the brain, usually occurring during fetal     development; before, during or shortly after birth; during infancy; or     during early childhood.

Not a disease, not     progressive, nor communicable.

Types of Cerebral Palsy:

Spastic Cerebral Palsy: characterized by muscle     stiffness and permanent contractions

Athetoid or Dyskinetic     Cerebral Palsy:     characterized by uncontrolled, slow, writhing movements

Ataxic Cerebral Palsy: characterized by poor     coordination and balance

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a term used to describe a problem with movement and posture that makes certain activities difficult. Even though someone who has Cerebral palsy has problems moving his or her muscles, this is not because there is something wrong with the muscles or nerves. These difficulties are caused because of problems in the brain. The child might have had an injury to the brain, or had a brain that did not develop properly. These problems can affect the way the brain controls movement and posture.

Simply stated, “cerebral” refers to the brain, and “palsy” refers to muscle weakness/poor control. Although the brain itself will not get worse, people who have cerebral palsy will usually change over time. Sometimes they will get better, and some patients will stay the same. Occasionally they will get worse, usually because of contracture of the joints or changes in the muscle tone.

There is currently no cure for cerebral palsy, however there are different treatment options for people who have cerebral palsy. These options include therapy, medications, surgery, education and support. By taking advantage of one or more of these options, people with cerebral palsy can learn to improve their function and the quality of their lives.

How is Cerebral Palsy Diagnosed?

Parents are often the first to notice that their infant is not developing normally. Infants with cerebral palsy are often slow to roll over, sit, crawl, or walk. When an infant develops more slowly than usual it is called developmental delay.

Some of the skills that infants should have include:

Holding own head up when     lying flat in a bed at 3 months

Sitting and rolling over by     6 months

Walking by 12-18 months

Speaking simple sentences by     24 months

Most children with cerebral palsy are diagnosed by the time they are two years old. But if a child’s symptoms are mild, it can be hard for a doctor to make a true diagnosis before the child is four or five years old. If the doctor thinks a child has cerebral palsy, he or she will probably schedule an appointment to see the child and talk to the parents about their child’s physical and behavioral development.

Doctors diagnose cerebral palsy by obtaining a complete medical history of development and examining the child, paying special attention to the child’s movements. In addition to checking for the most common symptoms — such as slow development, abnormal muscle tone, and unusual posture — a doctor also has to make sure the child doesn’t have something else that could cause similar symptoms.

Some children have hypotonia, which means that their muscles are too relaxed. In this case, the baby may seem floppy. Other children have hypertonia which makes their muscles seems stiff. Sometimes a child can have hypotonia that later become hypertonia two to 24 months after birth. Children may also have unusual posture or favor one side of their body.

What’s most important to the doctor is making sure that the child’s condition is not getting worse. Although cerebral palsy symptoms may change over time, children with cerebral palsy do not usually lose function. That means, if a child does seem to be losing motor skills, the problem is probably not cerebral palsy. It more likely a genetic or muscle disease, a metabolism disorder, or tumors in the nervous system. A complete medical history, special medical tests, and, in some cases, repeated check-ups can help confirm whether or not the child has cerebral palsy for certain.

Once the diagnosis of cerebral palsy has been made based on medical history and physical examination, your doctor may order tests to try to figure out the cause of the cerebral palsy (Ashwal et al., 2004). Tests (like MRI scans), that allow doctors to look into the brain, can find problems that may be able to be treated. If it is cerebral palsy, an MRI scan can also show a doctor the location and type of injury to the brain.

Some other tests a doctor might order include:

Cranial ultrasound

This test is used for high-risk premature infants because it is the least intrusive of the imaging techniques. However, it is not as effective as the two methods described below at seeing small changes in “white matter” – which is the type of brain tissue that is effected in cerebral palsy.

Computed tomography (CT) scan.

This technique creates images that shows brain injury.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan

This test uses a computer, a magnetic field, and radio waves to create a picture of the brain’s tissues and structures. Doctors prefer MRI imaging because it offers better detail and does not involve radiation.

Metabolic Disorders

On rare occasions, metabolic disorders can be mistaken as cerebral palsy and some children will require additional tests to rule them out.

Specialized Knowledge and Training

To confirm a diagnosis of cerebral palsy, a doctor may send a child to other doctors who have specialized knowledge and training or to specialty clinics where these doctors work with a team of health professionals who specialize in working with children with cerebral palsy and other developmental delays. These doctors might be child neurologists, developmental pediatricians, ophthalmologists (eye doctors), or otologists (ear doctors). Additional observations by these specialists can help the doctors make a more accurate diagnosis and begin to develop a specific plan for treatment.

Most Common Characteristics:

A person with cerebral palsy may exhibit one or more of the following effects:

muscle tightness or     spasticity

disturbance in gait or     mobility

involuntary movement

difficulty in swallowing and     problems with speech

An individual with cerebral palsy may also exhibit:

difficulty in feeding

impairment of sight, hearing     or speech

abnormal sensation and     perception

seizures

difficulty with bladder and     bowel control

mental retardation

learning disabilities

problems with breathing     because of postural difficulties

skin disorders because of     pressure sores

Treating Cerebral Palsy:

At this time, there is no cure for the developmental brain damage that causes cerebral palsy. Training and therapy, however, can help improve muscle function and coordination. Studies have found that children who receive early intervention services are more likely to lead a typical life.

Although there is no cure, recent advancements in neurological studies have vastly expanded our knowledge of brain development, and are allowing researchers to explore new treatments focused on the protection and care of children with cerebral palsy and other developmental brain disorders that strike early in life.

Cerebral Palsy Treatment

Although cerebral palsy cannot be cured, treatment will often improve a child’s capabilities. Many children with cerebral palsy go on to enjoy productive adult lives if their disabilities are properly managed. In general, the earlier that treatment begins the better chance the child has to learn new ways to accomplish the tasks that challenge them.

There is no single therapy that works for every child who has cerebral palsy. A team of healthcare professionals and community-based providers can help identify specific needs and develop a plan to help improve your child’s quality of life.

Who is on the team?

Doctors may include:

Neonatologists

Pediatricians

Developmental Pediatricians

Neurologists

Orthopedists

Physiatrists (Physical     Medicine and Rehabilitation)

Ophthalmologists

Neurosurgeons

Gastroenterologists

Urologists

Otolaryngologists (Ear Nose     and Throat physicians)

Other health care professionals may include:

Physical Therapists

Occupational Therapists

Speech Language Pathologists

Social Workers

Nurses

Audiologists

Psychologists

Nutritionists/Dietitians

About United Cerebral Palsy

Founded over 60 years ago by parents of children with cerebral palsy, today United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) is a leading service provider and advocate for children and adults with disabilities. The UCP mission is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities through an affiliate network. This includes approximately 100 local service providers reaching over 176,000 individuals daily in the U.S., Canada, Scotland and Australia. The national office in Washington DC advocates on behalf of individuals with disabilities; advances federal disability public policy (Disability Policy Collaboration and develops forward-thinking programs.

Content Source: Parentingspecialneeds.org

[franknfurterstriangulardinosaur]

hating your disability and being proud you’re disabled aren’t opposites; these things can be simultaneous. of course, i’m not best mates with my cerebral palsy; this shit has put me through worst things than my exes. but i’m not disappointed im disabled; im not going to shut up about being disabled; im not sobbing at night because im a cripple. that’s what i am. maybe it took a while to get used to but i love being disabled as much as i hate the symptoms. also these two are not the only two options on how to feel about your disability and all of you need to stop policing how cripples feel about our own things, thank you very much!

[jamiesonwolf]

The Deity of the Waves - Thoughts on Chemo and the River Within

I had three dizzy spells today. I was sitting for one, standing for another and walking in my apartment for the third. The dizziness and nausea passed quickly and each time I was able to hold on to something to stable myself. I was doing a different thing each time, so there seems to be no rhyme or reason to it. I know that I’ve been through this before, after all this is my second round with…

[transgenderfabianseacaster]

so yall know i Have to make all my blorbos disabled in some way right. hence i present: jammer who plays wheelchair basketball

he's had cerebral palsy his whole life, but only got into parasports starting in middle school. specifically he took to wheelchair basketball - he had always felt othered from his peers as not many visually disabled people attended his school. in parasports he found a community and became obsessed w it. it was a place he could be around other disabled kids and he hadnt had that till then

going to gowpenny was hard on him; it's not an accessible school by any means. lots of stairs and uneven stone floors that he couldnt really handle. prior to gowpenny he had used a wheelchair maybe half the time but that was not entirely possible anymore, so he had to only use his forearm crutches which was more tiring for him. that and the fact that there wasnt a wheelchair basketball team (although he and the pilot program made scuppers as accessible for him as possible) was why he ended up leaving

the s2 adventure is also difficult for him, but i think one of his magical artifacts is infusings his AFOs with energy that basically helps him w fatigue and other symptoms brought on by lots of activity

anyways. he means a lot to me

[titan-god-helios]

simply existing as neurodivergent is tiring.

no matter which it is, every neurodivergence comes with its own set of symptoms and traits that makes even sitting and trying to relax something that takes energy.

for me, my adhd makes it so that i have a CONSTANT inner monologue. and that "monologue" consists of SO much. it feels like there's a main monologue of my most prominent thoughts, another monologue in the background and another after that too, with music playing off in the distance, mental images flashing in and out and also having to stay present in the real world so i don't fuck everything up in real life. my brain is always on high speed and when it isn't there's still mental noise regardless from the monologue. and its fucking tiring. it makes my social battery lower than ever and means that i never truly get a moments' peace unless i superengineer my surroundings to force it. which again, takes energy.

if you add the fact that my autism connotes sensory issues, a baseline of anxiety for pretty much everything due to yk. uncertainty of situations, having to mask and be hypervigilant to keep up my masking etc, it becomes even more tiring. masking whilst being distracted in a conversation is even harder.

then my npd dogpiles essentially and makes it so there's a subsection of my inner monologue dedicated to screaming at me and mocking me or others all the time. that's fucking tiring.

i get intrusive thoughts. i disassociate a lot. my mood can change very quickly due to the emotional dysregulation that comes with my everything. that's tiring.

it feels like my brain is constantly doing its best to fuck with me at all times. and its doing a pretty damn good job at it.

that's not to mention other neurodivergences that other people may have such as did/osdd, schizospec disorders, cluster a, b and c personality disorders, down syndrome, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, bipolar disorder, synaesthesia, intellectual disabilities, auditory processing disorders, anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, tourettes' syndrome, tic disorders, cerebral palsy, parkinsons', alexithymia (which i have and makes it exhausting to just. figure out how you feel at any given time and makes things such as giving consent much harder and lengthier) and so on

if you happen to have physical disabilities alongside neurodivergence, it's even fucking harder.

it's fucking hard. it's not a bed of roses, or doesn't only affect us when we're doing stuff. us sitting on the couch and trying to relax may take enormous amounts of effort that you simply do not see.

please be patient with us. we're trying our best.