How has your condition affected your mental wellbeing? Do you know of anything that might help me? — Scope | Disability forum
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How has your condition affected your mental wellbeing? Do you know of anything that might help me?

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Scottyboy
Scottyboy Community member Posts: 47 Courageous
edited December 2020 in Cerebral palsy
I have recently been diagnosed with CP this year at the age of 42. I wear orthotics and have problems walking and you [note from moderator - directed towards @Chloe_Scope] are the first person I have read on the site who describes a similar walk (Without splints I walk on my toes with my knees turned in). This has affected me greatly and I am virtually housebound due to bullying etc
Can I ask you a couple of questions please
I am still trying to come to terms with myself, I am arranging some talking therapy and I am due to speak with my GP about any medication etc that may be of help.
How has your condition affected you and your mental wellbeing?
Is there any helpful things you can recommend in terms of groups/medications etc which you think maybe of help?
Thank you
Scott
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Comments

  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,492 Disability Gamechanger
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    I'm really sorry that you've been experiencing bullying @Scottyboy. Do you mind me asking you who is bullying you? 

    I'm glad that you're arranging some talking therapy, and are speaking to your GP about medication. 

    I'm sure that our other members with CP will have some advice for you :) Have you ever attended the CP Online Cafe? It's a fortnightly virtual meeting for those aged over 20 with CP, hosted by CP Sport and Scope on a Monday evening. I'll tag @Richard_Scope in here too.
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  • Georgiacdon
    Georgiacdon Community member Posts: 34 Connected
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    Hi @scattyboy I have right Hemiplegia Cerebral palsy since birth and have limited use of my right arm. I got bullied a lot when I was in primary school. But when I got married in my early 20’s and had 2 children that’s when I found it very difficult. I get extremely tired so although I stayed at home whilst the kids were under 5 I then wanted to go back to work. I found this exhausting and had periods where I was out of work. I suffered with my mental health a lot getting frustrated that I couldn’t keep a job, I now work for a small charity 2 days a week which suits me down to the ground. My kids are now 22 and 19 so they help me not the other way round. I feel as though I’m lucky because I never had the use of my right hand so don’t know what I’m missing. But to some one who has this must be very difficult.
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  • WestHam06
    WestHam06 Community member, Scope Volunteer Posts: 1,396 Pioneering
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    Hi @Scottyboy, 
                            How are you? I am pleased that you are arranging some talking therapy and I hope that the GP is able to support with medication. I'm sorry to hear you have experienced bullying, this must be really difficult. I hope that the support you are seeking is able to help you come to terms with your diagnosis. I personally have struggled coming to terms with my disability and bottled my feelings up for a long time which is a difficult way to live. I decided to seek professional help and it was a real turning point for me, though please remember our experiences are unique to each of us. Please do ask any questions you may have. Thank you
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  • Richard_Scope
    Richard_Scope Posts: 3,648 Scope online community team
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    Hi @Scottyboy
    It's good to hear from you again.
    I walked in exactly the same way as you describe until I had 'corrective' surgery. These days I'm far happier and safer in my wheelchair. 
    I can imagine it is very hard dealing with an official diagnosis later in life. As it stops you addressing a part of yourself, brushing things under the carpet is never a good idea in the long run. I was always told about my disability from the moment I was old enough to understand. In my teens and early 20s I struggled with my mental health and substance issues. I suppose it was a form of escapism. Bullying was an issue at secondary school but I was from a family that didn't tolerate it. You either whacked the bullies or got a whack when you got home. Very different times now thankfully!
    Being honest I'm not sure whether my disability or family life when I was a child caused my poor mental health at the time, but I eventually got really excellent help in 2012. I attended anger management and CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) and importantly committed to it. It changed my life and that of my own family.
    You are taking the right steps @Scottyboy and you are smart enough to realise that there is an issue that needs addressing. It took me years to admit that, so well done.
    Keep talking it out is my advice. Me and the community are here for you.

    Scope
    Specialist Information Officer and Cerebral Palsy Programme Lead

    'Concerned about another member's safety or wellbeing? Flag your concerns with us.' 

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  • Scottyboy
    Scottyboy Community member Posts: 47 Courageous
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    Hi guys, thanks for your replies
    Good to hear from you @Richard_Scope and @WestHam06 again, I hope you are both ok? Your Team is doing unexpectedly well!! :smile:
    @t@Tori_Scope and @G@Georgiacdon thanks for your replies.
    Sometimes I feel very unique, so its good to know that other people have had similar experiences and that you guys are here over the internet and that you all sound like you have so much empathy and courage and you all sound fantastic. Keep up the great work on here! :-:smiley:

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  • WestHam06
    WestHam06 Community member, Scope Volunteer Posts: 1,396 Pioneering
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    Hi @Scottyboy, 
                             Really good to hear from you too :) I know I'm still in slight shock at how well the Hammers are doing this season, though a slight blip at the weekend :( Please know you're not on your own and we, as a community, are here for you. Simply by acknowledging there is something that needs addressing is a really big thing so I salute you for that :) Thank you
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  • WestHam06
    WestHam06 Community member, Scope Volunteer Posts: 1,396 Pioneering
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    Thank you for your honesty @Richard_Scope and for sharing part of your story with us. Thank you.
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