My daughter is two and has spastic cerebral palsy, she's not mentally affected by developmentally so. She's about to undergo serial casting in an effort to help her walk without the aid of a walker anymore. My question is, how can I make her feel comfortable around other people while she has the casts on? Please don't tell me she's two she doesn't know, she won't use her walker in crowds because she says she wants to be like everybody else. What can I do to make the next 10 weeks easier for her? With the holidays coming up it'll be hard to keep her hidden, and we're not ashamed of her by any means.
2006-10-18 05:59:07 · 7 answers · asked by justwondering 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
She'll be three on Thanksgiving, so that will be hard for her too, she's used to being able to get around but while in the casts she won't be able to walk at all......please any suggestions, we're drawing a total blank on how to help her through this.
2006-10-18 06:03:21 · update #1
Amosunknown, I could not agree with you more!! But she wants to be like everyone else, we personally don't care, she's our baby no matter what. We want the best for her of course, that's why we're doing this, but maybe it's just me being nervous.
2006-10-18 06:07:16 · update #2
My daughter has Cerebral Palsy as well. She is 4 years old. We have not experienced serial casting, but my daughter wears DAFOs. Fortunately, she has yet to realize she's "different". I liked the suggest you got to have her draw on the casts. If she can make them personalized, it might make her feel proud of them.
You might want to explain to her that everyone is "different" and no two people are alike. Maybe you should check the library for some books about children with disabilities. It might help her realize she's not the only one who needs to use special equipment. My daughter knows that not everyone has CP and that there are other children like her that wear braces and glasses. I think that's why she's yet to discover that she's different from her typical peers.
I can suggest an online support group for parents of children with disabilities and special needs. There are lots of members with children who have CP and they may have more suggestions for you. Some may have even done serial casting. The address is:
www.specialparent.org
I hope you find a way to make her feel comfortable with the casts. I know it's going to be difficult at first for her (and you too), but hopefully she'll gain some confidence quickly. GOOD LUCK!
2006-10-18 18:55:05 · answer #1 · answered by Marie K 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We have a daughter Hannah who turned 4 in sept. of this year and she also has cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus and many other health conditions. With Hannah her days are so very different and we never have 2 good days together so i will tell you what our Neurosurgeon told us he stated to us that we must not plan our lives around Hannah but plan our lives and include Hannah in everything.
Hannah has not been doing well lately and has been sleeping almost 23hrs a day but we still take her with us everywhere we go and if someone asks if she is sleeping we say no she is a very sick little girl.
Trying using a stroller for your daughter and take her on a nature walk or something like that, she may enjoy the change of sceenery or you could take her to the movies if there are any child's movies playing and try to make jokes about her being in a stroller(i do not mean make fun of her in any way at all.)
like if you go to the movies say wow your lucky honey you have your own seat or little things like that.Just try and do as many normal things as you would do if she did not have the casts on and enjoy your daughter.
Good Luck and be thankful that you daughter will be able to walk without a walker as our daughter has been in a wheelchair since she was 2 yrs old. She outgrew all of the strollers we had purchased
2006-10-22 08:07:04 · answer #2 · answered by Dawn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try decorating the cast. Let her pick out the colors and designs. Maybe she will be happy to "show it off". Good luck to you and your family.
FYI One of my best friends has cerebral palsy (not mentally affected but developmentally) and she is wonderful. She is now a special Ed teacher and she is one of the smartest people I know!
2006-10-18 20:48:24 · answer #3 · answered by TRUE PATRIOT 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just tell her the casts are to help her be more like everyone else. Theres no magic formula of words that will ease her concerns, just your attentive care and understanding and support.
She should be learning at this age, and through all of her life, that who she is on the outside makes no mark of her value as a person. People who judge her for how she looks are not worth interacting with.
2006-10-18 13:04:29 · answer #4 · answered by amosunknown 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well I know you're not ashamed of her, but with them on it is sort of a hassle for her and you as well I imagine. Stay home when possible, but when you're out and about can you use a stroller? I think that would be best in crowded places but if it's not going to be that crowded then let her walk. Also, can you carry her? I know it might be tiring but whenever possible I think that would be a good idea.
2006-10-18 13:02:53 · answer #5 · answered by CelebrateMeHome 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe you can let her color on it with markers and she will feel special because she gets to do that and no one else does. Good luck to you!
2006-10-18 13:04:18 · answer #6 · answered by rosie 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
put her in a stroller and if asked tell them her condition and that she had surgery to help correct it
2006-10-18 13:01:33 · answer #7 · answered by kleighs mommy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋