ASK THE EXPERT

Q

I’VE just found out my baby’s got cerebral palsy and I’m devastated. Is it still possible for my partner and I to still lead a normal family life with our daughter?

A

“THE simple answer is yes – with a few adjustments,” says

Sera Johnston, right (serajohnston.com), a health and mindset coach who supports parents of children with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. “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 normal.

Equally, 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 important to focus on your daughter’s specific diagnosis, and understand how CP affects her.

“Reading, listening and attempting to understand how life may be different can be confusing – allowing time to make sense of the diagnosis is vital. Communication with your partner is critical, and allowing each other to be open and honest.

“Of course there are logistical elements in terms of therapies, hospital appointments and dealing with medical terminology that at first feels alien. Eventually these fill your weeks so between you, decide how sharing appointments will work. Communication and planning is key.

“Your life will be different from the one you knew or planned, yet you can certainly lead a life normal to you. You may need to plan ahead or 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 as needed.

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

“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.”

Sera Johnston is also the author Dana’s Walk (£10.99, Ecademy Press), in which she describes her experience of bringing up a child with cerebral palsy.