ASK THE expert

Parent support coach S era Johnston, whose daughter has cerebral palsy, explain show raising a child with a disability brings a new‘ normal’

Q

I’ve just found out my baby’s got cerebral palsy and I’m devastated that I’ll probably have to spend the rest of my life caring for her. Is there any hope my partner and I can lead a normal life with our daughter?

A

Sera Johnston is a health and mindset coach who specialises in supporting parents of children with cerebral palsy and other disabilities, and author of Dana’s Walk (£10.99, Ecademy Press), a book where she describes her own experience of bringing up a child with cerebral palsy.

She says: “The simple answer is yes, you can lead a normal life — with a few adjustments. Being told your child has cerebral palsy (CP) can feel like your whole world has come crashing down.

“A range of mixed emotions and confusion surface, yet it’s important to know this is completely normal. Equally, the unknown of understanding what CP is, and how this will affect your daughter specifically, can be overwhelming and scary.

“No two children with the same CP diagnosis are identical. It’s human nature to compare and search for answers, but it’s important to focus on your daughter’s specific diagnosis, and understand how CP affects her.

“Your life will be different from the one you knew or planned, yet you can certainly lead a life normal to you, not sacrificing or giving up things you enjoyed previously. You may need to plan ahead or perhaps make adjustments to how you used to do certain things.

“Creating a support network of family, friends and groups matching your needs will give you support, help and space for you both to use when needed.

“Make time for each other as a couple and make time for yourself, look after your own wellbeing.

“Your destination isn’t what was planned. The loss of dreams and plans are very real yet your world has now been opened up to new experiences, opportunities, new dreams and plans that wouldn’t have been part of your life.

“This is such a positive and unique aspect that gives a different perspective to the very special memories as a family you are yet to discover and make.”