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Cerebral Palsy and Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Cerebral Palsy affects every individual differently that is why it is difficult to create a one size fits all guidance about the impairment and coronavirus.
If you have respiratory issues, like getting chest infections quite a lot. Or are invited to have the yearly flu jab, you have swallowing difficulties normally, as some people with CP do, due little to no mobility, then you will be classed as having an underlying health condition. It is not the CP itself.
If you have respiratory issues, like getting chest infections quite a lot. Or are invited to have the yearly flu jab, you have swallowing difficulties normally, as some people with CP do, due little to no mobility, then you will be classed as having an underlying health condition. It is not the CP itself.
Here are the latest Government Guidelines on Social Distancing and who should be doing it.
If you are still worried please contact your G.P. or 111
Scope
Specialist Information Officer - Cerebral Palsy
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Specialist Information Officer - Cerebral Palsy
Want to tell us about your experience on the community? Talk to our chatbot and let us know.
Replies
Just looking for some advice on this really please
Our 2-year-old daughter was recently diagnosed with mild CP (only last week) so this is all a bit new to us
Should we be on full lockdown then?
thanks
Tristan
Without knowing your daughter or her history it's impossible for me to advise you of that.
Please contact her G.P. or Paediatrician.
Specialist Information Officer - Cerebral Palsy
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Specialist Information Officer - Cerebral Palsy
Want to tell us about your experience on the community? Talk to our chatbot and let us know.
Tristan
Scope
If you have a few minutes to spare, we'd appreciate your feedback on our online community.
Thank you for sharing this advice with us, it is greatly appreciated. Please take care and look after yourself. Thank you.
Thank you for getting in touch. I am so pleased to hear that you were able to get in touch with the paediatrician who was able to advise you. Please let us know if there is anything else we can help you with. Please take care and look after yourself and your family. Thank you.
I hope you are all keeping well in these troubling times. I just wanted to know if I need to isolate for 12 weeks or not? I'm currently isolating as a relative has symptoms, and I think I may be starting to show symptoms. So obviously I will be isolating for the time being anyway. But is there a way to know if the recommended extended period of isolation is necessary for me?
Thank you, Stay safe x
My son is 25 and has mild CP. He's also offered the flu jab every year - he also has hydrocephalus which is a medical condition so possibly the reason for him being offered the flu jab - or a combination of the two.
At first I was really worried and upset when they extended the at risk list to include those with CP.
The thing is, he's never suffered with any colds, flu etc any more than most people. Doesn't have weakened immune system, respiratory problems, is pretty robust etc. He works part time.
My question is: should he take the precautions and social distance? He works in a shop *rolls eyes* so not ideal. But he/they are taking all the precautions.
Should he be telling his boss that he will be unable to work now?
He has various issues with his conditions but they are physical and mental as opposed to respiratory, weak immune system etc.
Thanks in advance.
Angie x
How are you? On the forum, we are not in a position to offer medical advice but would suggest speaking with your son's GP and asking for their advice regarding social distancing. I hope this helps, take care and look after yourself. Thank you.
As you and a relative are showing symptoms it is vital that you self-isolate for 14 days.
The extended period of isolation, 12 weeks, is recommended for people at high risk and the NHS will contact these people by letter. More information about this can be found on the NHS COVID-19 Conditions page.
Specialist Information Officer - Cerebral Palsy
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People who are in the at-risk group and need to isolate for 12 weeks should be contacted by the NHS. More information about this can be found on the NHS COVID-19 Conditions page.
Specialist Information Officer - Cerebral Palsy
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I am 50 years old I have Mild CP, but due to back pain, club feet, wear and tear on my spine, I use a Manual Wheelchair. I also have High Blood Pressure and Cholesterol issues, but it is controlled by medication.
Do I have to self- isolate
thanks
Julian
Specialist Information Officer - Cerebral Palsy
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Specialist Information Officer - Cerebral Palsy
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I am living with CP and have done so since birth. Whilst I understand that you are not able to provide medical information for individuals I am wondering how you can help me go forward with what I feel is now becoming a major issue. Not only am I living with CP I am now a full time wheelchair user also living with asthma. Each year I am invited for a flu jab despite knowing that I am not able to have them due to having an egg allergy. I also have several chest infections throughout the year.
My concern is, that whilst I received the txt msg regarding the lock down, I have not officially been classed in the shielding group. As advised on the NHS website, people who feel that they have been missed off the list for shielding, should ring their surgeries. I did, to only receive an unhelpful response.
I self isolated 4 weeks ago today and still no letter. Not being on that list of shielding has caused me problems in accessing shopping. All the charities and organisations are rightly so, requesting proof as it were of their eligibility to assistance, I have none. I have written to my local newspaper with regards to how probably millions of other people have been inadvertently been missed from the list of shielding, this has today come to light to be the case.
If there are any further steps you feel I could take, I would be most appreciated to hear them. I am still fighting this and will continue to do so because unfortunately, it has been said that this situation will unfortunately get heaps worse before it gets better.
Thank you so much for being here
From the information you have given in your post It does appear that you should have received a shielding letter. It's my understanding that a second mail drop of letters is imminent, in an attempt to include the people that were missed when the letters first went out.
In terms of further steps, we have some useful information about Food and Essentials during Coronavirus
You are not alone in this, please keep in touch.
Specialist Information Officer - Cerebral Palsy
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Thank you so much for your reply and for being their for us all at this time. I didn't think for one minute I am alone in the situation of being 'missed' that is why I have highlighted this problem with my local newspaper as I realise there must be thousands of us out there.
I will go to the link regarding accessing provisions whilst isolating.
Once again my sincere thanks and wish I had known about this website a long time ago
Specialist Information Officer - Cerebral Palsy
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Unfortunately this wasn't soon enough as on the 23rd of March I was taken ill, had to call NHS direct after taking advice from my local chemist and subsequently was taken to my local a&e for medical and practical reasons as me possibly having symptoms of Coronavirus meant I had to self isolate from my support workers who I employ via direct payments package provided by my local authority and suddenly had no care and couldn't be left at my home on my own.
After 5 hours I was admitted into hospital and tested for Coronavirus; in the meantime my CP had flared up and I couldn't walk. Doctors couldn't and wouldn't understand and tried desperately to get me home even with no care! Eventually the following day I tested positive for Coronavirus. Why I'm posting this information is to warn people that this virus starts off like an ordinary cold and then hits you like a brick!
I ended up staying in hospital for 12 days fully in isolation and believe me it has been mentally tough even with all the experiences of health care I have had during my life. I then got moved to an intermediate care home for rehabilitation and have stayed there 13 days; having physiotherepy and constance phone calls with social workers to sort out a care package and continued therepy at home to help me recover to as I was prior to this virus. Today I am finally getting home, but the battle isn't won.
Also I know I need and most isolate myself for the next however many weeks even months eventhough I have had Coronavirus.
In terms of further steps, we have some useful information about Food and Essentials during Coronavirus
You are not alone in this, please keep in touch.
Specialist Information Officer - Cerebral Palsy
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LIFING IN LONG DOWN
Hi my name is Barry or Baz and I am 41 years old, with Cerebral Palsy I lived in Ayrshire in Scotland. I am in a power wheelchair and speak with a SL50 which a lightwrighter a voice output communication aide. before long down started I always went out each days with my pa and now we stay in because it isn't safe to go out. I am thank you I have a back door, I can go out for air. see if anyone told me this 12 weeks ago I would say to them "DONT TALK <..This something I try to do, just to get some fresh air.
Specialist Information Officer - Cerebral Palsy
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