Impact of Cerebral Palsy on Parents and Families

Abstract

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a societal problem that may pose significant challenges and unique opportunities not only for the individuals with CP but also for their care givers, families, and siblings. It is the most common pediatric disability causing long-term functional limitations. The impact of CP on parents, families as well as sibling is evident in the level of stress, anxiety and depression envisaged especially on mothers. Siblings of individuals with cerebral palsy also suffers stigmatization that often result in social isolation. The presence of a child with cerebral palsy in any family can pose serious concerns to family relationships. Therefore, it is of utmost important to value the contribution of every family member, parents, siblings towards any planned intervention for a child with CP as they are affected by the disability in one way or another. This chapter explores the impact of CP on individual parent, families. Siblings as well as financial constraints associated with raising a child with CP.