Misconceptions of Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is an often misunderstood disability. This non-progressive disability is something I have had for my entire 30 years of life. I will have it for the rest of my natural life. Cerebral palsy is referred to by the US National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke as "any one of a number of neurological disorders that appear in infancy or early childhood and permanently affect body movement and muscle coordination but aren't progressive, in other words, they don't get worse over time." As you might guess there are several types of cerebral palsy. Because of the numerous types and even combined types of cerebral palsy, the disability will often present itself differently in separate people.

Many false ideas exist about cerebral palsy and other disabilities. These ideas can taint the way people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities are treated in many aspects of life. Prejudices exist among people from all walks of life in regard to disability. Those of us with cerebral palsy and other disabilities have no choice but to not allow the behavior of those who believe these prejudices to be true to negatively effect our lives. The following are things or events that I have encountered and even have been said to me without reservation.

People with cerebral palsy have a short life expectancy- It is often assumed that those with cerebral palsy also have an additional illness related to their CP. Although this can be the case fairly often, this doesn't mean that an additional related disorder exists. Just like anyone else those with cerebral palsy can eventually develop illness of any sort that can also be completely unrelated to having cerebral palsy. This means people with disabilities can get cancer or heart disease and it can be completely unrelated to their CP.

People with cerebral palsy all have some type of mental disability- This is often not true. In fact, many people with CP and other disabilities have average intelligence or above average intelligence.

Adults with cerebral palsy don't handle their own lives- Adults with CP may have people work within their homes to help them with daily tasks, personal care, or both. The use of home help doesn't mean that home help aides do

everything for their clients. Home help services are very costly. The more people need help the more it will cost, therefore most people only have home help for certain tasks and only for certain time periods daily.

Adults and teenagers with cerebral palsy are completely asexual- Adults and adolescents with CP have dating, sexual, and relationship interests just like everyone else.

The things listed here are truly only the tip of the iceberg. The best way to learn more about those with cerebral palsy or any others with disabilities is to try to get to know them as people after setting aside any preconceived notions. Ask questions and assume nothing, because you might just learn something new.

Sources:

Cerebral palsy information page compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_palsy/cerebral_palsy.htm

Personal Experience