Birth Injury | Facing Cerebral Palsy

What Do Children with Cerebral Palsy Face?

Cerebral palsy in infants is the result of a brain injury that stems from not being provided with adequate oxygen at some time during the birthing process. It can also occur due to accidents within the womb, but birthing accidents are very common reasons that children suffer this injury. Many people will be familiar with the basic symptoms of cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy causes difficulty controlling the muscles, which sometimes leads to a very uneven muscle tone that causes a lot of difficulty walking, keeping balance and performing certain tasks. Not all of the problems that cerebral palsy causes have specifically to do with the injury itself, however.

Ostracism

Many of the individuals who suffer with cerebral palsy have the full mental capacity of anyone else their age. The disorder, however, frequently causes hearing and speech impediments that make it difficult for people with this disorder to communicate with others. These impediments also tend to make others think that the person who suffers with them is mentally challenged and, when they treat a fully capable adult in this way, it can be frustrating and ostracizing for the person who suffers from CP.

This can also occur in school. Oftentimes, people who suffer with CP do have some mental deficiencies that require that they undergo tutoring or are part of a class of individuals with special needs. In some cases, however, the problems that arise from the way that people treat other human beings who happen to have CP are much more significant than any learning disabilities the sufferers themselves deal with.

Physical Limitations

The physical limitations of cerebral palsy can be frustrating. Some individuals are able to get around very well on walkers, crutches or even by using braces to support their legs but it can still be difficult for a child to accept that some activities are simply beyond their physical abilities.

For parents, this all means that dealing with cerebral palsy will be a challenge for the entire family, not only for the sufferer. There are plenty of organizations out there for people who have CP and there are resources available for families who are attempting to find a way to help the child have the best experience possible growing up and to acquire the skills needed to live a rich and fulfilling adult life. People with CP include many successful actors and artists, so having this condition doesn't always mean a limited life.