What is cerebral palsy and how does it affect Audriannas everyday life???
Cerebral palsy is a name for a group of disorders affecting muscle control. About 80% of people with cerebral palsy are born with the disorder. People with cerebral palsy have brain damage that prevents the brain from sending signals to other parts of the body responsible for movement, like muscles and the spinal cord. Sometimes cerebral palsy is accompanied by a diminished or increased level of mental ability. Since muscles help us move anything in our body, cerebral palsy can affect a person's ability to eat, walk, talk or make facial movements.
Audrianna was diagnosed around 1 yr old. we had her evaluated by early intervention at 5 months old when we (her father and I felt something was wrong).
Cerebral Palsy affects everything she does. She needs a walker to walk with but mainly uses a convaid cruiser stroller (wheelchair), a Stander to help strengthen her muscles and helps with her posture.
she needs some assistance with eatting but has to be closely monitored to make sure she doesnt choke, she often W sits and has to be reminded to sit criss cross applesauce (indian style ). she has very little verbal skills and uses a few signs. She falls often when cruising along furniture so she bruises alot. Yesterdays fall resulted in an er visit and etting 4 staples in the back of her head. we constantly have to remind her that she can't do things and that no means no. You think you have to tell you kid no several times a day mutiply that by 3 thats about how many times we have to tell Audrianna no). Our latest adjustment is her baby sister charlee we have to constantly remind Audrianna that charlee is not a doll, I constantly am telling her she can't pick up charlee, that charlees arms and legs are not to be pulled, that she can't undress her sister , that she can't hit her sister ect
. We are defintly looking forward to Audrianna going to kindegarten.
Raising a child with a disability can sometimes be like raising an infant even if that infant is 5 yrs old. Audrianna can not be left unattended even for a minute without somehow hurting herself except for bedtime. sometimes I feel as if i am crazy for doing it all over again with Charlee. but they both keep me going everyday and i love it.
This is about my life with my 5 yr old daughter who has mild to moderate spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, Schizencephaly ,Partial Seizures, Allergies, Asthma. And the challenges we are faced with on a daily basis along with the new challenges that we will be faced with as our family expands to include another baby girl.
2 comments:
What a challenge you have, mama! I feel like I have many of the same issues w/ my very spirited 2 year old who doesn't have cp, so I can imagine how frustrating and exhausting it must be for you at times. Thanks for giving us a glimpse into your life.
As I've mentioned, Em had CP, but her's was mild. She was able to walk at about 18 months and barely shows any signs. Though she had a hard time talking and the potty training was a nightmare. I feel he same, wondering if it was wise to have another child, but Monster has proved to be pretty much normal. He still isn't talking at 16 months, but that's nothing compared to what you go through on a daily basis. HUGZ
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