Disabilities affect children in different ways, so there is no “one way” to care for someone who needs additional help for their conditions. Your child might need round-the-clock help with walking, movement, and posture, or their disability may be milder. Either way, parenting is about trusting your intuition and doing the best you can for your family.
If your child is disabled, their doctor or therapist will take care of his medical treatment, but there are also things you can be doing at home to help make their life easier.
Encourage Exercise
Gentle exercise goes a long way in reducing pain, so encourage your child to practice stretches and movement outside of his or her physical therapy sessions if it’s needed. Not only can this help those with a physical disability, but it can also provide enjoyment for everyone involved. Exercise as a hobby can provide pleasure, and it can even improve mental health.
Think About Your Child’s Diet
Some children with may have weak bones, so it’s a good idea to research calcium-dense foods that can build bone strength. Children may have specific dietary needs, so consult a dietician if you need more guidance on this matter.
Stay Organized
Even if your child is a teenager or young adult, help out with the organization of his care as much as he needs. This might involve keeping a diary of his hospital appointments and physical therapy treatments or driving him to checkups.
Be Involved
Most children may have a “team” of helpers around them, usually of doctors, physical therapists and counselors. The most helpful thing you can do for your child is to be an integral part of this team and learn everything you can about his health condition. That way, he’ll feel supported, and his doctors will include you in all discussions and decisions about his care.
Fight Your Child’s Corner
Some disabilities could have been prevented. For example, according to the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention), cerebral palsy is prevalent in boys and girls of all races and origins, affecting 1 in every 323 children born worldwide each year. The condition is usually a result of a birth injury, and studies have found that up to fifty percent of cases are preventable with the right obstetric care.
If your child’s CP occurred as a result of a birth complication, it may be worth contacting one of the many cerebral palsy solicitors advertised online to see if you could claim compensation. Although you might not feel comfortable exploring the legal implications of your child’s diagnosis, you stand to earn compensation, which could go into a fund for your child or help to pay for their private care.
Although life with a disability can be challenging for your child, there is new specialist equipment available all the time to help with balance, posture, and movement, and prognosis is generally positive. What’s more, society as a whole is adapting, and looking for new ways to offer help and support to those who need it. Therefore, you child has the potential to live the life they want, so try to remain as positive as possible.