I was diagnosed at 6mo back in 1949(pre stone age)by an old doc looking
through his medical books
----- Original Message -----
From: "Anthony Arnold" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, August 23, 2002 2:03 PM
Subject: Re: Sites About CP


> Hello, My name is Anthony and I'm from North Dakota.  I'm 25 with
> Cerebral Palsy, and use a power chair and a communication device with
> voice output to communicate with.  I have to agree with Kenneth, I find
> it hard to believe that they don't diagnose a lot sooner, so you can
> begin the right therapies and educational planning instead of going in
> the dark with everything you do.  I was diagnosed right around my 1st
> birthday (give or take a few months), but however my parents started
> noticing motor problems with me around 8 months old, so they began
> consulting doctors and other specialists.  One of the things I think
> made my diagnosing process so successful (according to me), is I have
> parents who have always cooperated fully with my doctors, therapists and
> other specialists.  Sure, there have been some disagreements over the
> years on somethings, but you don't want to call WAR on everything you
> disagree on, or nothing would get done effectively in the rehabilitation
> part.  After they learned that my parents would cooperate with them but
> still wanted the very best for me, I think they tried harder, which in
> the end made a very independent adult, because I work and live
> independently with limited supports, which has surprised everybody.  The
> first step I would suggest doing is taking the child to the doctor to
> get a referral to a rehabilitation specialist.  There's nothing wrong
> with going to 2 or 3 doctors to get a diagnosis.  Again, the keyword is
> "cooperation" and another is "respect", and your child will go a long
> way.
>
> Thanks,
> Anthony
>
> Visit me at http://www.ara1.net/
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: St. John's University Cerebral Palsy List
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Barber, Kenneth L.
> Sent: Friday, August 23, 2002 9:39 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Sites About CP
>
> One thing, I think usually a diagnosis for cp is normally made early in
> a
> child's life. For a 8 year old not to have a diagnosis is quite unusual.
> Anyway these sites will have good information and might be very useful.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Kathy Salkin [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Friday, August 23, 2002 9:53 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Sites About CP
>
> A list of links with information about CP.  If you need any
> clarification
> about information on a particular site, I suggest you email the site's
> author
> or its webmaster.
>
> SCOPE:
> http://www.scope.org.uk/
>
> UCP:
> http://www.ucpa.org/
>
> OFCP (Ontario Foundation for CP):
> http://www.ofcp.on.ca/
>
> Bobath Centre (for CP):
> http://www.bobath.org.uk/
>
> All of these can, and do, give you general information on CP, and how
> the
> diagnois is made.
>
> A few caveats:
>
> 1) These are starting points.  You need to be talking to your child's
> doctor
> as well as reading up as much as you can.
>
> 2) CP is NOT a disease, it's a condition resulting from injury to the
> part
> of
> the brain that controls muscles.  CP in itself doesn't get worse but it
> can
> affect the aging process (as we older CPs on this list know all too
> well).
>
> 3) The affects of CP are very individualistic;  no two CPs are affected
> exactly the same way.  Yes, there are general types that you will learn
> of,
> and many CPs have multiple disabilities, but it can affect two persons
> in
> completely different ways.
>
> 4) CP seems to be getting diagnosed later these days; it used to be that
> it
> was diagnosed at the time of birth or very early in childhood.  This is
> likekly the result of more advanced neurological diagnostic tools such
> as
> MRI's.
>
> Keep on asking questions if need be.  I'll try to answer as much as I
> can
> with
> my work and time restraints.
>
> Kat
>