Networking - any other single parents to disabled (CP) child out there ?

gladys
gladys Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 55 Contributor
edited September 2018 in Families and carers
Hi there ! I am a single Mum to Vigo who is five, with dystonia of CP and Laszlo who is 2 and neurotypical. I work full time as well and live in London. I would dearly love to meet other single parents in London/ South East region who are coping on their own and who "get it" re. CP and everything that involves. Its not difficult to meet parents online, (but it often never gets to actually meeting in person) or married couples (who typically are having family time at weekends), but really I'd like to make friends with single parents who are in a similar boat....... any of you lovely people out there ? Or any recommendations of how I can build my network ? 
Many thanks, Emma 

Comments

  • hartill77
    hartill77 Online Community Member Posts: 95 Contributor
    Hi Emma
    you could try searching your local area for support groups or searching events for disabled children. 
    I dont know much about cp but my daughter has autism so I search for places to go that suit her needs. 
    You could try making a group on social media just seeing how many responses you get from people. 

    Good luck 

    Charlene
  • Sam_Alumni
    Sam_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,602 Championing
    Hi @gladys

    I cant find a group that is specifically for single parents of children with CP but I did find Contact a Family who are in touch with hundreds of local support groups across the UK, and can help you find a group where you live. They say:

    You may feel you want to join a group for parents whose children have the same condition as yours. If there is no condition specific group then do not rule out joining a group for all disabilities. Parents can offer friendship and emotional support regardless of their child's condition.
  • Sam_Alumni
    Sam_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,602 Championing
    There is also Gingerbread who offer support to single parents who might be good to get in touch with :)
  • gladys
    gladys Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 55 Contributor
    Hi Sam . I will try contact a family . However I am specifically looking for single parents of CP children who understand what it’s like to do it on your own . And are looking for kindred souls at the weekend. I tried Gingerbread, but there were very few/ no  parents of disabled kiddos and women who spent most of their time complaining about their ex- husbands - not something I can relate to , having embarked on this crazy journey on my own in the first place anyway. 
    I’ll go back to contact a family and try again. Many thx ! 
  • Sam_Alumni
    Sam_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,602 Championing
    There must be lots of people in a similar situation but I am struggling to find any groups specifically for single parents of children with CP - Ill keep looking! 
  • gladys
    gladys Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 55 Contributor
    I know that’s the thing . And yet I know lots and lots of mums of disabled kids end up on their own ..... hence my call out to try and find them !! Where Are they ? ??
  • Sam_Alumni
    Sam_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,602 Championing
    I will share this on twitter and hopefully get some more responses!
  • gladys
    gladys Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 55 Contributor
    That would be great Sam . I don’t use twitter so if you can reach others that way it would be great ! 
  • Sam_Alumni
    Sam_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,602 Championing
    We can share any responses here if we get any :)
  • gladys
    gladys Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 55 Contributor
    Ok that sounds good to me . Thanks 

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