World Cerebral Palsy Day- October 6th

Today is World Cerebral Palsy Day:

Cerebral palsy is one of the least understood disabilities and people with cerebral palsy?are often out of sight, out of mind and out of options in communities around the world.?This needs to change.

There are more than 17 million people across the world living with cerebral palsy. Another 350 million people are closely connected to a child or adult with cerebral palsy. It is the most common physical disability in childhood. Cerebral palsy when accompanied by delayed milestones and mental retardation becomes a permanent disability that affects movement. Its impact can range from a weakness in one hand, to almost a complete lack of voluntary movement.

It is a complex disability:

·??????????1 in 4 children with cerebral palsy cannot talk

·??????????1 in 4 cannot walk

·??????????1 in 2 have an intellectual disability

·??????????1 in 4 have epilepsy.

Cerebral palsy is a lifelong disability and there is no known cure.

World Cerebral Palsy Day on 6 October was created by the Cerebral Palsy Alliance in 2012 to bring ?together people living with cerebral palsy, their families, allies, supporters and organisations across more than 100 countries. All with the aim to ensure a future in which children and adults with cerebral palsy have the same rights, access and opportunities as anyone else in our society.

Most parents, care givers of children and adults with special needs are adept at various skills. For those who want to refresh here are some of the skills which you need to adept at:

1)??????Patient listening (nobody teaches you how to listen- you need to just open up your ears, mind and heart to listen to those whom you care) its like Superman’s ears which points towards those places where they need help

2)??????Focused attention and giving importance: ?you cannot afford to not to pay attention to small things as these?if neglected may cause pain in the future). Where you realise that the person affected by CP can do some work, help in some minor chores- please engage them. There are many stores, shops, commercial premises,?offices where they employ disabled persons.

3)??????Time management:?Managing your work time with that of the person at your home; in fact your work time and personal time will revolve around those children or adults with CP or other disabilities- spending time with them becomes a Big rock while other activities are just like pebbles

4)??????Emotional Intelligence : Managing emotions become a clean sweep for many care givers while some give way to or get influenced. It is important to manage yours and other family members emotion in these situations- there is no point in bursting out, blowing your whistle for small things- you need to get over these. Wherever possible consult a family coach/life coach/therapist not for the affected persons but for the care givers as care givers too need to vent their emotions, feelings and may need a coach to help guide/counsel and facilitate them.

5)??????Financial prudence: You never know when an emergency occur so you need to be prepared to shell out enough money- while increasing revenue or higher pay scale may not be possible for many one of the best ways is to be prudent- save as much money as you can for unforeseen contingencies.

6)??????Social skills: many care givers especially parents of CP children?move away from social life and avoid any social gatherings, contacts- This is exactly what you must not do- live your life normal, take those adults or children with CP along with you wherever you go and wherever possible, enjoy an outing, dine out, go watch a movie, have fun, go for a picnic just like any normal beings do- By doing this you also motivate your children as well as motivate yourself.

7)??????Last but not the least create time to sit for 15-20 minutes in deep silence, meditate and relax as these give you mental peace, insights as well as energizes you like the earlier point .

Wishing the people with CP, the family members and the care givers of those affected the strength to endure and provide the best care for them.?