Successfully Negotiating Life Challenges: Learnings From Adults With Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

Despite facing multidimensional inequalities, some adults with cerebral palsy achieve positive social outcomes (e.g., independent living, employment, and romantic relationships). We interviewed 23 adults (aged 23–47 years) about how they successfully negotiated the challenges of adulthood. Common to all life situations was doing what others (people without cerebral palsy) do. Origins of success lay in their formative experiences (e.g., typical parental expectations with commensurate support and acceptance and supported involvement in school life). Their present functioning (e.g., positive self-concept, well-honed social skills, and physical fitness) combined with present contexts (e.g., expectations of involvement in adult activities and accessible and accommodating environments) enabled them to find ways of negotiating challenges. Finding a way included drawing on knowledge and skills, gravitating toward those who are comfortable with difference, maintaining function, and using natural and paid supports. The findings suggest multiple avenues for supporting people with cerebral palsy to achieve positive social outcomes.

Community‐based physical activity interventions for adolescents and adults with complex cerebral palsy: A scoping review

“…The physical environment has been reported as a major barrier to participation in community‐based physical activity for people with CP 7 . A recent qualitative study 34 reported ‘accessible and accommodating environments’ took many forms, including physical access, practical supports, reasonable accommodations/adjustments, and positive attitudes towards disability. Another recent study described the supports required for people with complex CP to successfully access a community‐based exercise facility, and highlighted significant additional time requirements from all stakeholders 35 .…”

Social Outcomes of School Leavers With Cerebral Palsy Living in Victoria

“…These findings reinforce the importance of optimizing participation in education of young people with disability, both during mandated school years and beyond. Educational attainment at the level of the individual's capacity is a crucial resource for living, a finding highlighted in a recent studying examining what adults with CP identify as enablers of their success in adulthood ( 45 ).…”

“…The young adults with CP in this study reported that lack of confidence was a factor in both their educational and employment participation and that they were not as satisfied with their achievements in life as other Australians. Adults with CP have described needing pathways for developing competence, acceptance and support in school life and skills for making friends ( 45 ): these early formative experiences, along with an expectation that they will take part in society from parents, teachers and themselves, ( 45 ) provide a foundation for adulthood successes, when the needed contextual supports are also in place.…”

“…A more detailed questioning of NDIS supports would have been valuable, given just over 70% of participants were receiving some funding. In addition, the standard questions included in this survey about being partnered or married and presence of social and emotional supports, did not capture information about friendships and intimate relationships—areas in which young people with CP and their parents have previously expressed dissatisfaction ( 7 , 45 ). This survey sought to replicate data that is commonly sought when measuring “outcomes in adulthood” implicitly labeling participation success as having further education and training, being employed, partnered and living out of the parental home.…”

Lifelong Fitness in Ambulatory Children and Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy II: Influencing the Trajectory

“…Despite the challenges, most persons with CP do wish to be active, fit, and socially connected [ 29 ]. Altering the fitness trajectory of children with CP may require attention to the internal or individual drivers of behavioral change.…”