EncouragementEncouragement for persons with cerebral palsy is very important. The entry point is the family and those close to the child. When you have a child with cerebral palsy you become a member of the “cerebral palsy community”. Learn about the weakness of your child and try to help. Your position is about being patient and to have some empathy and see how you can help your child to cope with the condition. With the challenges faced in life, and especially for a child with cerebral palsy, there is a need for being understanding and trying to fill the gaps identified. However, you have to identify the capabilities and strengthen them and areas where there is a possibility of improvement and try to help the child towards achieving some goals. This really boosts the morale of the child. Learn to appreciate the achievements made by a person with disabilities no matter how small the achievement may be. For, instance, a person who is unable to walk makes an effort to stand on her or his own for a few minutes. This should be applauded. It is also important to set goals to achieve for a person with disabilities. These goals can be in the area of schooling, religion, physical exercises, computer lessons and other daily activities. When God blessed you with a child with disabilities in your home, it means that God knew that you can look after the child. So please get up to the challenge and look after the child. For us, as a family, this child with cerebral palsy has opened up door to meet many people in our desire to make her independent. She has made us travel to many places locally and outside the country. We feel as a family that, the coming of our daughter into the family is a blessing and we encourage her in what she does and we shall continue supporting her, in her search for better and independent living. Support your child with disabilities to go out and play with friends. Also organise other outdoor activities such, study tours and sight seeing.
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