Your Attitude is the Key in managing problems being a parent of a CP child

Posted by Yafaau's Dad on Aug 19, 2005 in Blogger, General, Website |

Accept the child: You have to mentally prepare yourself to love and care for the child quickly. The spastic infant needs hugging and holding as much as other infants do. Get help from a special school and learn how best to handle your child.
Both parents must be involved: Shame and disappointment make some fathers try to get away from the problem. In the long run the situation will only get worse. When both parents share the responsibility, there is a greater chance of making the child adapt to his disability. There is less stress in the household.
Don?t isolate yourself: When there is a spastic child in the house it stirs many kinds of reactions in the social circle: curiosity, pity, a patronising attitude, and genuine concern. These might not be pleasant. But you have to learn to tackle these. Don?t avoid people, especially those you feel mean no harm. When asked about the handicap, explain to them in a simple and straight manner. Don?t lie about it.
Accept Help: While you should not to try to exploit anyone who is willing to help, do not get to the other extreme and feel that no one can care better for your child than yourself.
Be committed but not shackled: A spastic child needs your help more than normal children do. But that does not mean that you have to spend every waking minute at the child?s service. In India, where there are many disadvantages, there is one blessing. Members of the extended family can give support. Help can be hired. Parents should take time off for themselves each day so that caring for a spastic child does not mean complete bondage for them.
Train for social acceptance: One of the reasons for offering any child education and cultural training, is social acceptance. A CP child must be encouraged to mix with people, pick up social skills (picking up things in a super market, making a phone call, giving directions to get home ?). More than pushing the child to do better in the classroom, parents must involve the child in acquiring social skills.

source: http://www.webhealthcentre.com/general/cp_parent.asp#init

Contact us to Advertise