What is independent living?
Independent living is the ability to live in one’s own home or apartment and manage one’s own affairs, with or without some assistance. For people with cerebral palsy, this may mean having access to assistive technology, personal care assistance, or other supports.
Living independently helps with increased self-confidence and self-esteem, offers greater control over your life, helps you live more fully in the community, and generally enhances quality of life.
How can I live independently with cerebral palsy?
There are many things you can do to live independently with cerebral palsy. Here are a few tips:
Start planning early – If you are thinking about living independently, start planning early. This will give you time to assess your needs and make the necessary arrangements.
Get the right support – There are many organizations that can provide support to people with cerebral palsy who are living independently. These organizations can help you to find assistive technology, personal care assistance, and other resources.
Be flexible – Things don’t always go according to plan, so it’s important to be flexible when living independently. Be prepared to adjust your plans as needed.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help – If you need help, don’t be afraid to ask for it. There are many people who are willing to help.
Resources
Here are some resources for independent living in the UK:
• Scope
• Direct Payments Plus
• Independent Living Centres
The Independent Living Movement (ILM) is a social movement that advocates for the self-determination and equal rights of people with disabilities. The ILM has had a significant impact on the lives of people with cerebral palsy, and it has helped to promote independent living, to challenge the medical model of disability, and to remove barriers that prevent people with disabilities from participating fully in society.
Watch the Midweek Matters Speaker Session with Fiona Weldon:
Watch the Midweek Matters Speaker Session with Ruth Bailey:
What I have learnt about: Claire Bell on working and raising a family living with Cerebral Palsy
Ruth Bailey, a passionate advocate for effective healthcare for adults with CP, recounts a sequence of episodes which encapsulate the problems with the current provision.
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Jean Martin is a retired podiatrist, living in Derby. She tells us about her life, and the role that her CP has and hasn’t played in it.
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Scarlett Murray is a 22 year-old mother of one, and a talented writer who blogs about her experiences of living with Cerebral Palsy. Her form of CP is left-sided hemiphlegia. She tells us her story.
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Rio Boothe is 19, studying Sport Business at Liverpool John Moores University. He is also an aspiring Paralympian. He tells us his story.
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Clive Gilbert is a leading policy expert on assistive technology for disabled people, drawing in part, on his own experiences living with Cerebral Palsy. He tells us his story.
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