If we become concerned about you or anyone else while using one of our services, we will act in line with our safeguarding policy and procedures. This may involve sharing this information with relevant authorities to ensure we comply with our policies and legal obligations.
Find out how to let us know if you're concerned about another member's safety.
Find out how to let us know if you're concerned about another member's safety.
Changing My Perspective on Stretching With Cerebral Palsy

Richard_Scope
Posts: 3,176 Scope online community team
I’ve lived with cerebral palsy my entire life, which means I’ve lived with tight leg muscles and a certain degree of spasticity for my entire life.
My favourite metaphors to help describe the sensation of tight muscles to others include imagining being stuck in a pair of skinny jeans or feeling like my leg muscles are twisted up like a pretzel.
Some of my earliest childhood memories are of lying on the floor with my left leg on someone’s shoulder so my tight hamstrings could be stretched out. To be clear: I hated this. By the time I was 5, I had figured out ways I could cheat the system like pushing my hips off the floor or squirming so I wouldn’t have to be held in that position. My attempts didn’t last long, but I usually tried to put up some kind of fight. I’ll be the first to admit I was not the easiest kid to work with, but stretching was rarely ever negotiable.
Read the full article
Have your attitudes towards physiotherapy and exercise changed? What would you tell the younger you?

My favourite metaphors to help describe the sensation of tight muscles to others include imagining being stuck in a pair of skinny jeans or feeling like my leg muscles are twisted up like a pretzel.
Some of my earliest childhood memories are of lying on the floor with my left leg on someone’s shoulder so my tight hamstrings could be stretched out. To be clear: I hated this. By the time I was 5, I had figured out ways I could cheat the system like pushing my hips off the floor or squirming so I wouldn’t have to be held in that position. My attempts didn’t last long, but I usually tried to put up some kind of fight. I’ll be the first to admit I was not the easiest kid to work with, but stretching was rarely ever negotiable.
Read the full article
Have your attitudes towards physiotherapy and exercise changed? What would you tell the younger you?

Scope
Specialist Information Officer and Cerebral Palsy Programme Lead
Want to tell us about your experience in the community? Talk to our chatbot and let us know.
Specialist Information Officer and Cerebral Palsy Programme Lead
'Concerned about another member's safety or wellbeing? Flag your concerns with us.'
Want to tell us about your experience in the community? Talk to our chatbot and let us know.
Brightness
Categories
- 55.2K All Categories
- 10.8K Start here and say hello!
- 5.3K Coffee lounge
- 4.1K Disability rights and campaigning
- 1.6K Research and opportunities
- 160 Community updates
- 12.3K Talk about your situation
- 1.8K Children, parents, and families
- 837 Work and employment
- 600 Education
- 1.2K Housing, transport, and independent living
- 1.1K Aids, adaptations, and equipment
- 302 Dating, sex, and relationships
- 268 Exercise and accessible facilities
- 22.3K Talk about money
- 2.3K Benefits and financial support
- 4.5K Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- 12.8K PIP, DLA, and AA
- 2.7K Universal Credit (UC)
- 4.2K Talk about your impairment
- 1.4K Cerebral palsy
- 704 Chronic pain and pain management
- 718 Rare, invisible, and undiagnosed conditions
- 772 Autism and neurodiversity
- 951 Mental health and wellbeing
- 314 Sensory impairments
Complete our feedback form and tell us how we can make the community better.