This page covers:
– Issues for parenting with Cerebral Palsy
– What help is available?
– Where can you find inspiration?
– Resources
What is the problem?
There are around 1.7 million disabled parents in the UK, yet there continues to be a misconception that you cannot parent with a disability.
Of course, some things are more challenging with Cerebral Palsy. For example, at bath time, you may need another pair of hands. When changing your baby when you’re out, you may not have the mobility to improvise if there aren’t proper changing facilities. When going down stairs, you may need to hold the bannister with both hands – so you’ll need a baby harness for the baby.
However, these things should not be barriers, rather just challenges which can be overcome with the right tools and knowledge. Our goal is to empower you to live a full life with CP – parenting may be a big part of that for you.
Getting help
There is a lot of information available from specialist organisations and other disabled parents on how to meet the challenges of parenting with a physical disability – see the resources section below.
There are also forums and spaces for parents with disabilities to share their concerns and experiences – just like other parents’ forums. Parenting is challenging for everyone: it is ok for any parent to ask for help.
There is still more which can be done to improve the situation, i.e. imagine if every buggy was accessible rather than needing a specialist premium one.
Inspiration
Here are some images and stories of parenting which we are celebrating, and which are tackling the stigmas around parenting with Cerebral Palsy. Click the quote to read more.
Resources
Parenting – Sarah Foy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ms7dQGTTZJk&t=4628s
- Disability, Pregnancy and Parenthood & National Centre for Disabled Parents
Many useful publications including guides for disabled parents on practical issues.
Information service: 0800 018 4730 - Enabled2Parent is a not-for-profit organisation which offers advice alongside assessments and information about equipment. It gives you the tools to help you help your child grow to the best of his or her ability.
- https://www.bestbeginnings.org.uk/parents-with-disabilities
https://disabledparentsnetwork.org.uk/ - Royal College of Nurses (2007). Pregnancy and disability RCN guidance for midwives and nurses
- Disability, Pregnancy and Parenthood international (2010) Pregnancy, birth and early parenthood: a guide for physically disabled parents
- NHS Choices Help for Disabled Parents
- Epilepsy Action UK: Mothers in mind project
Information for mothers and professionals - Royal College of Nurses (2007). Pregnancy and disability RCN guidance for midwives and nurses
Parenting with Cerebral Palsy:
- BBC One – We Won’t Drop the Baby, A Proud Dad
- BEING A MOM WITH CEREBRAL PALSY Q&A – YouTube
- Children of disabled parents speak | Disability, Pregnancy & Parenthood
- Mummy’s Arms – Blog by Scarlett Murray
- As a woman with cerebral palsy, this is what I wish I knew before getting pregnant and becoming a mother – Carly Tait PLY
Equipment:
- Snuggl Bundl – How to Use the Snugglebundl Baby Wrap | Support For Post Birth & C-Section Recovery – Bing video
- Clean Hands Changing Mat – Clean Hands Changing Pad (amazon.com)
- Stokke Flexibath (for wet rooms) – How to set up and use Stokke® Flexi Bath® Stand for the foldable baby bath – Bing video
- Chicco 4 in 1 Hug Air – Chicco Baby Hug 4 In 1 Demo – Bing video
- Shmuggle Dreami Moses Basket – Shnuggle Dreami Moses Basket & Rocking Stand – Baby Lady – Bing video
- Two By You Adjustable Nursing Pillow – Leachco Two-By-You Adjustable Nursing Pillow, Sage/White dot (amazon.com)
- Skip and Hop 3 in 1 Baby Bath – Skip Hop Moby Smart Sling 3-Stage Baby Tub Bathtub – YouTube
- Chicco Next to Me Forever Cot – How to use Chicco Next2Me Forever – Chicco (English) – Bing video
- More2explore adventure belt – https://specialkids.company/collections/more2explore
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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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.
Read more