Occurring due to birth injuries and other factors, cerebral palsy ranks as one of the leading childhood movement disorders. Although caused and manifesting early in life, the effects of this condition often affect people throughout childhood and adulthood.
Therefore, the parents of children with and those with the condition may benefit from understanding what living with cerebral palsy may entail.
Medical care
Adults with cerebral palsy often have different, but continuing health care needs from children with this movement disorder. The medical teams of such adults will aim to manage their existing symptoms, as well as to prevent or treat any resulting secondary complications. According to MayoClinic.org, some of the common adverse health problems affecting adults with cerebral palsy include orthopedic problems, mental health issues, heart or lung disease, or malnutrition.
Assistive equipment
According to WebMd.com, assistive equipment offers some with cerebral palsy greater independence. For instance, people may use hand controls in place of foot pedals and brakes to enjoy riding bicycles, auto door openers to let them more easily enter and leave their residences, and special control units for kitchen and other appliances to cook or perform other for themselves. However, obtaining such tools to aid with everyday tasks often comes with costs.
Residence modifications
Although livable, certain modifications to their residences sometimes make people’s homes more functional and comfortable for their conditions. For example, this may include adding grab bars to the shower to help with balance or installing a ramp in place of steps at the home’s entrance. State and federal laws prohibit landlords from discriminating against potential tenants or renters because they have cerebral palsy, as well as require them to make or allow reasonable accommodations.
If people developed cerebral palsy due to doctor errors, the medical providers responsible may bear financial liability for the resulting damages. This may include possible future expenses for everyday assistance such as medical care, adaptive equipment and residential modifications.
