How do I explain to my son that he has CP? — Scope | Disability forum
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How do I explain to my son that he has CP?

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str8polaka
str8polaka Community member Posts: 1 Listener
edited February 2020 in Cerebral palsy
 Hello
My son is 5 with a mild cp
how do I explain to him that he has a disability 
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Comments

  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Community member Posts: 16,103 Disability Gamechanger
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    Hi @str8polaka - Welcome to this community, & thank you for joining. There was a recent discussion about this here on Scope, which may be helpful. See: https://community.scope.org.uk/discussion/67758/how-to-talk-to-my-3-year-old-grandson-about-his-cp#latest
    Please let us know if you have any other questions, or how we may support you. :)

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  • Ails
    Ails Community member Posts: 2,256 Disability Gamechanger
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    Hi @str8polaka and welcome to the Community also.  It is nice to meet you and thank you for sharing with us.  I'm sure you will find the above Scope link which @chiarieds has posted to be helpful to you.  Please keep in touch and let us know how you and your wee boy are getting on.  If there is anything we can help/support you with then please just ask.  All the best.  :smile:
    Winner of the Scope New Volunteer Award 2019.   :)
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  • Chloe_Scope
    Chloe_Scope Posts: 10,586 Disability Gamechanger
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    Hi @str8polaka and a very warm welcome to the community! I hope the link above helps.

    How is your son doing? :)
    Scope

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  • Richard_Scope
    Richard_Scope Posts: 3,648 Scope online community team
    edited February 2020
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    Hi @str8polaka
    It's really good to meet you.  I would keep it age-appropriate, for example, my mum told me that I was poorly when I was born and it has caused me to have poorly legs.
    Scope
    Specialist Information Officer and Cerebral Palsy Programme Lead

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  • jadealyssa
    jadealyssa Community member Posts: 63 Courageous
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    Hi @str8polaka
    Nice to meet you,
    How is your son? 
    My son also has mild asymmetric dipleiga CP although he is just coming to to 3yrs old and I am yet to have this discussion with him.
    My only advise would be is be as honest as possible and try and explain it as child friendly and you can like @Richard_Scope has said was a great example, I've always said I wouldn't ever let my son believe he was unable but more along the lines of it's more challenging for him, I always believe putting a positive twist on it and making them feel important is vital.
    Always try to see the bright side I know this must be very difficult for you to be up against but eventually you will find your own way of dealing with the challenges ahead.
    Best of luck and anytime you need any advice we are all here for support 

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  • forgoodnesssake
    forgoodnesssake Community member Posts: 502 Pioneering
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    As above...and also (and I know this sounds rather cruel..) be prepared to keep mentioning how his disability might affect him as he grows up cos young kids forget or can think that they will eventually be able to run/talk/walk or whatever.  I regularly used to have little, age appropriate, chats with my non-verbal, wheelchair user son just to keep it in his mind that he wasn't going to suddenly not have CP any more, but that it was OK! 
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  • Stayce
    Stayce Community member, CP Network Posts: 843 Pioneering
    edited February 2020
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    Hi @str8polaka

    welcome to the community. You might find it helpful to explain CP to your son by some of the great kids books out there like
    @jonblake books

    1 Oshie https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15055729-

    2. Thimble Monkey Superstar https://www.bobathwales.org/thimble-monkey-superstar-novel-by-jon-blake/

    Hope this helps you and your son


    Best wishes 


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  • WestHam06
    WestHam06 Community member, Scope Volunteer Posts: 1,396 Pioneering
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    Hi @str8polaka, 
                             Welcome to the community and thank you for joining us. I would highly recommend you have a look at the link provided by @chiarieds. It is best to explain it in an age appropriate way and use resources such as books which have characters which represent disabled people as then young children can relate to these characters. When I was young my parents explained to me that when I was a baby I was poorly and so my legs didn't work as well as others. I hope that this helps and please if there is anything else you would like to ask or share then please do. Thank you. 
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