How do I explain to my son that he has CP?

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

Comments

  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Online Community Member Posts: 16,688 Championing
    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. :)

  • Ails
    Ails Online Community Member Posts: 2,237 Championing
    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:
  • Chloe_Alumni
    Chloe_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 10,506 Championing
    Hi @str8polaka and a very warm welcome to the community! I hope the link above helps.

    How is your son doing? :)
  • Richard_Scope
    Richard_Scope Posts: 3,719 Cerebral Palsy Network
    edited February 2020
    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.
  • jadealyssa
    jadealyssa Online Community Member Posts: 63 Contributor
    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 

  • forgoodnesssake
    forgoodnesssake Online Community Member Posts: 509 Empowering
    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! 
  • Stayce
    Stayce Online Community Member, CP Network Posts: 839 Empowering
    edited February 2020
    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 


  • WestHam06
    WestHam06 Online Community Member Posts: 1,390 Trailblazing
    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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