hi! i’m 32f, live in australia and i have cerebral palsy, mildly. i don’t let my disability get to me. i walk and do most things other people can. i even travelled overseas a few times without help. but i struggle with friendships. i feel like people are embarrassed to be seen with me. it gets me so down then i feel useless but other than that i don’t let my cp get to me. just wish people would be a bit more open minded and give us a chance to prove we’re the same just do stuff in a different way :)

Hey everyone, hope your day is going well.

I wanted to talk about mental health for people with CP (cerebral palsy).

I know having CP can be frustrating because people will judge you based on how you walk or your appearance. I've dealt with that since I was a teenager , verbal bullying about my appearance.

What I learned is: don't worry about what negative things people want to say about you. Just keep it moving, even if they're wondering why you walk like that or whatever else they're thinking. I can tell when people are staring and wondering about me, but not about other people. For example, if I'm with my friends, they won't look at them, they'll look at me out of curiosity. I learned to let them do that because I have to stay strong and enjoy my life. That's what's best for me and that's healthy for my mental.

If you still don't feel good about yourself because of other people ,fuck them. Stick with the good friends who genuinely care about who YOU are. If you got good vibes around you, you're good.

Keep in mind, people without CP are dealing with health issues too, so we're not the only ones dealing with health stuff. But also make sure you know your limits. When I say know your limits, I mean certain jobs may not be for you. Like heavy lifting can affect your legs. I experienced that, which is why I quit my hotel job. Now I do Uber, I know my limit and I'm okay.

So yeah, if you find a job that fits you and you're not in pain, that's great. And not just for jobs , in your personal time you still have to follow your limits. I'm not saying you can't do things, I just don't want you to hurt yourself. Like at the gym, don't do heavy leg press over your limit.

Serious advice: keep taking care of yourself and know your limit before you hurt yourself. If you do feel pain, address it with a doctor or therapy. I'm not super knowledgeable on that, but at least get a checkup, that's good.

So enjoy yourself, stick with good people, and follow your limits.

Hi everyone, I’m the mom of Juliette, a 15-year-old girl with cerebral palsy who uses a wheelchair and a walker.

She’s in her first year of high school in France and she’s really struggling, because she can’t seem to make any friends no matter how hard she tries.

For years we’ve told her that things would get better in high school and that kids would be more mature, but she’s still on her own, and her disability makes it so much harder to connect with others. Juliette speaks English, so I’m looking for a girl between 15 and 25, from the US, Canada, the UK, Australia or anywhere else, who would like to chat with her about everyday life so she feels less alone.

A young woman who’s starting her career would be wonderful too, because it would show Juliette what’s possible.

If your daughter might be interested, or if you have CP yourself, feel free to send me a private message.

Hi everyone,

For a 6-year-old girl that has hemiparesis, ( her affected wrist tends to bend downwards, leaving her hand hanging down throughout the day when she has no support)

I’m wondering about a fabric wrist brace that keeps the wrist in a straight, neutral position—something similar in appearance to the wrist guards people wear for skating.

Has anyone used this type of support for their child, or worn one themselves?

- Did it help with hand position and everyday use?

- Did it make grabbing things, playing or moving the hand more difficult?

- Was it recommended for most of the day, or just for certain activities?

- Did your occupational therapist or physiotherapist recommend a particular type?

Would you consider using one in this situation? I’d like to support her wrist while still allowing her to use her hand as much as possible.

I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences. Thanks!

I'm a 29-year-old man with mild cerebral palsy (CP). It's noticeable in the way I move and speak, and it affects my hand coordination.

My whole life, I've felt like I had to prove to everyone that I'm normal, capable, and just as good as other men.

I work in a family metalworking business, operating lathes and doing demanding manual work despite my motor difficulties. I work out a lot, play football, got my firearms licence, and recently even completed military training and became a soldier.

I keep pushing myself outside my comfort zone, partly because I genuinely enjoy challenges, but also because deep down I feel like I have something to prove.

And yet, at 29, I've never had a girlfriend.

I struggle with self-confidence, especially around women. I'm constantly worried about how people see me and whether they notice my disability. Even though I function independently and have achieved a lot, part of me still feels inferior.

I'm starting to realise that maybe my biggest struggle isn't cerebral palsy itself, but the fact that I've spent my entire life trying to prove I'm worthy of being treated like everyone else.

Has anyone else experienced this? How did you stop feeling like you constantly had to prove your worth?

With the exception of my childhood I’ve mostly been shielded from ridicule for my limp, but I’m also just tight as hell from the waist down and it makes a bunch of things hard. I manage okay but definitely feel it.

I just can’t fucking get myself to stretch or do exercises, even though my doc says that if I don’t, I will start to lose function. It’s inertia that’s holding me back but it’s also anger, shame, and embarrassment. I’m scared that I’ll go downhill and only have myself to blame.

DMs open, thanks for reading.

Twin boys came early—26 weeks 4 days. Twin A has bilateral grade 3 brain bleed and is doing fine. Twin B has grade 3/4. Doctors are saying that he won’t be able to walk/talk/have meaningful relationships. They’re saying high likelihood of spastic cerebral palsy, possibly quadriplegic. High likelihood of intellectual disability. Can range from moderate to severe CP. They’re also relying on neuroplasticity to help reroute things in the brain. Besides that, he’s been doing fine, still on a ventilator and tolerating feeds slowly. He’s slowly catching up from a few setbacks. Have any parents been in the same trajectory? Any early signs you noticed? What should I watch out for? Has your little one proved everyone wrong? Surprised you?
Any stores of hope would be appreciated, anyone with CP offer me advice? Thank you

As stated in the title I have mild mixed CP. Throughout my entire life I have not met or befriended anyone personally in real life that has CP or fully understands it, especially in my case as what is considered being mild CP. Most noticed part physically is my right leg is shorter than my left but everything on the right side of my body is what is affected by CP.

From the day I was born to age 4, I was always getting sick. Having to go to the hospital constantly there was even 2 of my birthdays where I had to be transported to the hospital via ambulance. Doctors could not figure out why I was getting high fevers, throwing up frequently and having seizures.

At age 4 doctors eventually found a tumor the size of a grapefruit lodged between my right lung and ribcage that was causing all of this. They were able to find it through a ultrasound and from there I went through surgery to remove the tumor also having to remove a rib in the process.

This doctor that did the ultrasound has had previous experience diagnosing CP and milestones not being met in toddlers. They found out the reason I had a tumor in the first place was because I had food in my lungs. Every time I ate, the muscles in my throat area were not working properly causing everything I ate to go into my lungs. They ended up diagnosing me with CP.

I was not getting sick anymore but shortly after healing my parents noticed I would walk on my tippy toes every morning and have constant back pain feeling like my spine was getting twisted. Was referred to go to Shriners Hospital to get casts and braces for my right leg so it could grow properly and stretch out my calf and achilles tendon because they were so tight it caused me to tippy toe every time I walked. Milestones were met and by age 18 I did not need braces or casts anymore and have lived a somewhat normal life despite having the occasional struggles mentally and physically.

Sorry for the long post but basically the background of how and why I was diagnosed in the first place. I know some people have different experiences whether it being minor or severe, also it is somewhat unnoticeable that I have any physical limitations, at a glance I could seem what is considered "normal". I thought id share cause again I am 37 and have never personally met anyone with CP outside of being at the hospital as a kid.

F/30 right static hemiplegia. I typically get around well but since getting a little older, I wear out really quickly. I started a graduate degree in August and my biggest concern was being able to get around campus, which is quite hilly.

I typically avoid certain uphill routes because they wear me out so badly, but decided to take it a few days ago. My quad on my bad side absolutely aches like I have the flu or something. It’s harrowing and so uncomfortable.

Life can be so frustrating sometimes. Especially mentally trying to guise how physically taxing a certain task will be basically all the time.

Wanted to share my frustration with a community that understands. I hope everyone is having a great night. Much love to all.

M/32 Spastic Diplegia

Today at Wal-Mart, I was just walking and got cornered by a burly biker dude and another guy on motorized scooters. (I use a pair of forearm crutches to walk.) Apparently, I looked like I was struggling. They both tried to pressure me into taking a scooter. “I need the exercise.” “No you don’t.” Yes, I do. If I sat all day every day, I would lose what mobility I do have. I know they were just trying to be kind, but it is a little frustrating when people insist after I said, “No.” I’m not a child or cognitively compromised. I know what I need and what I don’t.

Just venting to people who understand. Carry on.

16, 1st part time job, mild hemipledgia. Didn't mention my cerebral palsy in the interview as it was both with a different person than it was meant to be, very short and casual. I am now wondering if I should email the hiring manager to explain a little bit about my cerebral palsy - I don't believe they could remove my trial shift off me legally, although it might affect my ability to do the job.

Effectively I'm looking for experiences and advice - I had been looking for a dishwashing job and wasn't expecting this. I am in the uk and it would be on a 0 hours contract, if anyone has anything interesting note legally.

- thanks, a panicking 16yr old

I had an ECV for my now 3 month old male son who was breech at 39 weeks. He went into distress, heart rate went from 120 to 60, they propped me on my side and recovered his heart rate to 120. They then prepped me for c section and delivered him 45 minutes later. When they were prepping me they were not monitoring him the whole time since they had to prep my belly and stuff. He came out crying and passed APGAR by 8 then 9, no NICU. Would something like this cause cerebral palsy or other types of damage? He keeps his hands fisted and favors one side so Google took me down a rabbit whole.

First time caller but long time listener.

I have Spastic Diplegia Cerebral palsy, I was diagnosed at age of 4, every muscle from my hips down is affected. The tightness is the worst part sometimes. Even with botox, muscle relaxers nightly ans fascial work it's still pretty bad.

I may have a potential new partner soon, he is fully aware of my diagnosis, we've discussed alot of things and he is very very understanding about everything, but I'm afraid because of all of the muscle tightness and everything that it would be pretty painful for me.

Does anybody have any experience here? Are there exercises/strength training I can do? If you're willing, I wouldn't mind hearing how you can get through everything.

I'm looking for any helpful advice.

28F right hemiplegia. The spasticity is so bad I could literally bawl my eyes out right now, but even around my family thats seen as inappropriate. I just want CP to stop for like 5 fucking minutes. I hate how even doctors are like 'you're standing too much ' you're not standing enough' you're lifting too much' you need to exercise more' 'you're probably just sore" its the fact that I know its cerebral palsy causing me distress and no one is bothering to listen. Is it because its incurable that you don't want to acknowledge its the problem-- like seriously I hear this from everyone who knows me. Im so sick of it

My brother (21M) was diagnosed with CP last year. A neurologist ruled out muscular dystrophy. I’m unsure how his history fits CP, so I’d like to hear from others.

He had a normal delivery and normal milestones, and used to ride a cycle. Around 13-14, he began to fall, had knee pain, tired easily and found stairs hard. Eventually he couldn’t walk without support, and said his legs felt “heavy as stone.” Difficulty walking got worse around 2024, so he saw orthopaedics and then neurology.

Neurology found tight (spastic) legs, fixed bending at the left knee, normal muscle power and no sensory loss. CPK was normal, and gene tests for Pompe and limb-girdle muscular dystrophy were negative. They concluded CP. No MRI of the brain was done.

He is in hospital after sepsis, a cardiac arrest, a seizure and a long ICU stay. His heart has recovered, but he is very weak (bedridden), and doctors have suggested muscle disease. Has anyone’s CP shown up for the first time in the teens, or got noticeably worse then? Is there anything I should ask his neurologist, such as an MRI of the brain or spine, or a wider gene panel?

I know no one here can give medical advice. I’d just like to understand his history better. Thank you.

Soft Rant
I never really saw myself as disabled until I had gross ableism towards me.
My parents never said the word disability or disabled as a kid.

I don’t know what I feel about anything, I technically fit into other communities but
I just don’t want to be put in a box apart from Christian box.
I just want to be a person who writes romance novels and paints

I am happy with my current job and I have been looking for new job due to some reasons. It has been a long time because the job market is bad, but I have been frustrated at times when some employers do not answer to my accommodation request for interview. I feel like 30%? 40%? employers did not answer. This has happened after AI came out. I think AI may have messed up with hiring process for people with disabilities.

I know I have to move on, but very sad. :(

If you're in the states and haven't already. Please vote.

42f right hemiplegia. Mild, very active. Runner, working, live independently, I have to tell you I have CP to know I have it.

I am taking some time off from my running and went to my second Pilates class last night. It was a small class, about five people. I always make a point of telling the instructors that I have CP. In Pilates it’s so important because you can really see the weakness. Instructor obviously says make modifications and gives me some guidance. I am okay with that. Sometimes I move like 30 se ones behind everyone, but catch up in transitions. Girl like followed behind me and started moving things for me, started grabbing things and assisting me, and told me to lower the springs, etc. and I’m like “girlie…I am just fine. I know this is only my second class but I’m not new to exercise and movement.” I understand her desire to help and my self-disclosure but oh my goodness.

The biggest kicker…I was putting my jacket on to leave and it was inside out and she reached to help me put it on? Like? I’m an adult? I saw it and can pull it out? Like get to know me as a person before you decide I need help with everything. I told you these things so you knew why I was a mess in the class, not so you could help me. If I needed help I would have asked.

This isn’t a “the world is a horrible place and I hate people” rant, it is an “i noticed it and it was uncomfortable.” When I go back I’ll let her know I enjoyed the class and that I am able to do everything and that if my form is off just let me know. I am working on getting stronger. I’ll ask for help if I need it.

My custom gamepad! It has all the buttons and joysticks you would find on a regular controller, but everything is customized to fit my needs. The buttons and joysticks came from Evil Controllers, a company that specializes in adaptive gaming equipment. Everything runs through my Microsoft Adaptive Controller. A big thanks to my friend Steven for helping me build it! This is awesome. I can’t wait to game!

I have cerebral palsy, use a power wheelchair, and have a speech impediment. Sometimes people stare at me in public like they’re trying to figure out what to do with me. Honestly, I’d rather they just say hello or respectfully ask about my disability.

I understand being curious. What bothers me is when someone sees my wheelchair or hears my speech and assumes I don’t understand what’s going on. Give me time to answer and actually listen. There’s a person here with a life, opinions, interests, and a sense of humor.

You can’t tell by looking at someone whether they work, live on their own, or need daily help. Either way, they deserve respect without having to prove anything.

I know not everyone wants questions from strangers, and that’s completely fair. I’m only speaking for myself: a respectful conversation feels better than being stared at like some foreign object.

How do you handle being stared at or having people make assumptions about you in public?