is a childhood condition. If your hand went up you are not alone. But the truth is that while cerebral palsy, or CP, starts in childhood it is a lifelong impairment that affects a person’s movement at any age.
‘I lost five years of my life waiting for a trial’: Bláthnaid Raleigh describes pain of court delay following rapeOur research in Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland has found that when teenagers with CP are discharged from children’s services they are often left to find their own way through confusing, inaccessible and fragmented healthcare options, which leads to a shortfall in services.
Fiona Weldon encountered this lack of awareness when she broke her ankle, and it resulted in unnecessary suffering. “I was in the A&E for 10 hours with no real pain relief, and because I have CP my spasms increased because of my broken ankle. The pain was excruciating but it didn’t seem to matter.“I told them not to put a really hard cast on my foot because my foot would just fight to get out of the cast. But they did, and then they had to put on a different cast.
The research also shows that many adults with CP fall very frequently, which can have a serious impact on their lives. Regular reviews and early intervention to reduce complications such as falls can support adults with CP to stay healthy and take part in all areas of life including employment. Wall describes how easy access to information would help her to prepare. “I would appreciate if service providers had accessibility as a very easy thing at the top of websites, telling you there are steps at the front and there is side door with a ramp, or before getting into your car this is how you are going to access the building in the safest and easiest way.