As a parent of a child with cerebral palsy, you know firsthand that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to raising a special needs child. Besides learning how to care physically and emotionally for your child, you may also have to address questions and stigma from those who do not know about or understand the disorder.

Breaking down barriers and educating others can help bridge the sensitivity and awareness gap that remains between the general public and the special needs community. Here are some ways that you can help teach others about cerebral palsy and what makes your child unique.

Address It When the Time Is Right

For other people, it can be difficult to ask about your child’s disability. They don’t want to say anything offensive and may attempt to avoid bringing it up. In many instances, it’s often best to address the “elephant in the room” immediately so that the person attempting to understand your child’s disability feels comfortable asking questions.

You can explain what cerebral palsy is, what type of disability your child has, and what types of activities they like to do.

Set a Positive Tone

There’s nothing to be ashamed of when it comes to cerebral palsy. Other people may not totally understand what emotions they should evoke when speaking about the disorder. They don’t know what your child’s prognosis is or what challenges they face. However, you can let them know that your child is unique, you are proud and hopeful for their future, and it’s okay that they be, too!

Provide a Chance for Questions

Two-way communication is the best way to help others understand CP. Of course, no one knows more about your child’s unique challenges than them. If your child is old enough to understand and answer the questions, you can let them answer if they are comfortable doing so.

At Angel Law, we believe in celebrating our differences and helping others understand each other. Our team hopes that this blog serves as a small stepping stone for educating individuals and families on the importance of learning what makes all of us unique.

If you have any questions about the services we provide, please feel free to reach out at (503) 862-8666 to learn more. Our firm answers phones 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and offers free case evaluations. We look forward to hearing from you.