Cerebral Palsy: Quality of Life for Adolescents and Young Adults

Although cerebral palsy, a condition stemming from injuries that occur to a child’s brain while in the womb or at birth, undoubtedly alters the lifestyles of children who have it, it does not entail a poor quality of life. Many aids exist to help those with cerebral palsy live healthy, happy lives, and this extends well outside of childhood.
A recent study released by Allan Colver, professor of community child health at Newcastle University in England, shows that adolescents afflicted with cerebral palsy have a similar quality of life to those who are the same age and do not suffer from the disorder, according to AL.com. The study consisted of a questionnaire that was given to over 400 adolescents between the ages of thirteen and seventeen with cerebral palsy, asking about areas such as physical well-being and relationships with friends. The same questionnaires were also given to children without cerebral palsy.

The results? Teens with cerebral palsy appear to have a higher quality of life than those without in certain subject areas, such as autonomy, relationships with parents, and school life. Aside from finding social support from friends, teens with cerebral palsy appear not to struggle more than teens without the disorder in any other areas.
Moreover, AL.com reports that “a quick scan of national headlines” show that young adults with cerebral palsy are doing remarkable things, from earning black belts, to starting for their high school football teams, to participating in national beauty pageants. This can be widely attributed to technological advances that have aided significantly in increasing mobility, which is significant for those with cerebral palsy, since the condition tends to affect the muscles, posture, and gait, all things that contribute to mobility.
Indeed, a young man in Atlanta with cerebral palsy will be competing this year in the Ironman competition in Florida, a grueling 140.6-mile race, with the help of his brother. They will be the first assisted brothers to participate in the Ironman, and according to WSB Atlanta, they have trained for over ten months to reach this point.
Thus, while mobility, autonomy, and accessibility are challenges that those with cerebral palsy continue to face, technology is advancing every day to ensure that they live as unimpeded by the disorder as possible. With the recent study from Newcastle University, it appears that this goal is becoming a reality.
If your loved one suffers from cerebral palsy, call us for help. We will talk to you and review your case for free. The Tyrone Law Firm specializes in representing those who have suffered a devastating injury, such as birth injuries or traumatic brain injury resulting from the negligence of another. Our personal injury firm here in Atlanta has a very successful record of trying such cases.
Nelson Tyrone handles Brain Injury, Spine Injury and RSD/CRPS cases throughout the United States. He involves only the top medical, rehabilitation and life-care plan experts in the field. His results on behalf of clients include several of the largest settlements and verdicts on record.
You can reach us at 404-377-0017 or via email at admin@tyronelaw.com. If we can’t help you, we will do our best to put you into the hands of lawyers who can.