My Tips for New Parents who have a child with a Disability

Being a new parent with a child who has a disability is overwhelming and stressful. As someone who has CP, I’m incredibly grateful for all of the sacrifices my parents have made to help me throughout my life. I wanted to put together a few tips for new parents who have a child with CP that may help them not feel so overwhelmed!

Don’t be Afraid to ask Questions

This is one of the most important tips I can give you! My parents constantly asked questions to my PT and doctors about their decisions and what they could do to better help me. Don’t be afraid to ask questions to make sure that your child is given the best care possible.

Do not let doctors brush things off, if you seriously feel something is off it usually is

This is important! I’ve had multiple doctors and PTs throughout my life brush off things that were serious. For example, when I was younger my first PT allowed me to be in bad positions, which ultimately lead to my hip to be partially dislocated. This is something that I still deal with as an adult.

As a parent only you truly know your child and their habits

This is the best piece of advice I can give you! As a parent you’re around your child the most, and are most in tune with their needs. Throughout my life, my parents have consistently asked doctors and physical therapists why they are recommending what they are saying. This allows you to fully understand why they are suggesting these treatment options for your child, and how you can implement them into their day-to-day activities.

Don’t be afraid to accept help from other parents, it’s a community!

The disability parent community is  supportive and collaborative. My parents have talked to numerous parents who have the same PT as I do about things that have worked for me. My parents have invited parents to our house to look at adaptations we have made over the years to help me be more independent. There are numerous groups on Facebook that are dedicated to the disabled community. These groups are a great way for parents to share and get ideas from other parents and people who have disabilities.

Hope these tips help you! Thanks for reading!