How is old age with CP and can I catchup?

reli

I'm a 36-year-old with CP. It affects my walking and talking.

In my early 20s, I did my undergrad in computer science but by the time I graduated, I felt demoralised and weak.

I think I'm a natural loner. In high school and university, I didn't make any friends. I feel it was completely my fault, I never bothered. I've never been rejected because I never tried. But, at the same time, I felt bad that I wasn't like others.

Leaving university and becoming a shut-in helped me stop comparing myself with others and really see what I wanted. The low-level depression and loneliness I felt in uni went away.

My CP has improved drastically. Back in my early 20s, I was transported everywhere and now I go for long walks everyday.

I live with my parents. Since my teens, I've never felt happier.

But, of course, I know I lack independence. I never had a job, no friends, never took alone trips, never been in a pub, club…

At the moment I don't want any of those, but we know the only thing we can count on in life is that things change. Luckily so far my health is great, I figure even if I decline I doubt it will be suddenly drastic (since it happened so far). but just as a kid, I'm scared of change, parents dying, having to live alone, and maybe getting a job (my speech is the worst issue I have). Can older people really start from zero and get their life together if they want to?

Albus_Scope

Hey there @reli and welcome to the community.

Thanks for sharing your story, change can be terrifying, but often the scariest things are the most worthwhile things to do. Speaking from experience there haha. I'd say it's never too late to change things in your life, I have disabled friends in their 60s who have just finished uni as they weren't happy with what they were doing in life.

Have you thought about talking to our very lovely Support to work team? They could give you some advice if you wanted to put the feelers out for some work from home things maybe? They can do things via email if you'd prefer too.

We also have the amazing @Richard_Scope who's the man to talk to for all things CP, he's a bit of a legend. 😊

SaraC_Scope

Hi @reli

Thank you for sharing your story. I can understand the fear of change. I have right sided hemiplegia and I've been supported by family all my life. I had a job with the local authority, but had a desire to retrain as a counsellor at the age of 42. This was a huge decision and people around me expressed concerns, but I attended college part time and qualified in 2020. It was one of the best things I've done and led to new opportunities.

Change can be scary-but it can be amazing. Maybe start with small changes and build up.

The CP Network is a space to meet others.

Sara

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