By Lee Vander Loop CP Family Network Editor Many families raising a non-ambulatory child face the challenge of finding appropriate transportation when their child becomes wheelchair-dependent and can no longer be transported in a car seat. Parents struggle with questions of where to find financing, what vehicle to choose and what modifications are needed. The... Read More

By Lee Vander Loop CP Family Network Editor It’s the first full week of summer and children have been out of school just a few weeks. Already, many parents are beginning to hear the growing mantra: “I’m bored!” As a parent of four children, I have a very clear memory of the frustration and challenges... Read More

By Lee Vander Loop CP Family Network Editor Many families with special-needs children face a multitude of challenges that others may never experience. The challenge of an extended power outage is frustrating and inconvenient to any family, but when you factor in a special-needs child who relies on medical equipment such as oxygen, a feeding... Read More

By John Lehman Planning a vacation is an exciting but sometimes difficult task for any family, particularly families who have children with cerebral palsy. Special considerations must be taken into account well before the plane tickets are purchased. Fortunately, the task is not impossible. With a little bit of research, homework and proper planning, you... Read More

By Lee Vander Loop CP Family Network Editor Summer is nearly here and kids are anxiously awaiting summer outings, vacations and outdoor adventures. It’s a time of sports, outdoor play, family gatherings, and warmer weather. With many states restricting beach and park access due to COVID-19, family vacations may be limited to your own backyard,... Read More

By Amy Kristine Williams To parents, bullying can seem like one of the more baffling aspects of childhood. Why should one child be singled out so unfairly? The truth of the matter is that there’s no real, justifiable reason. Yet, parents need to know how to deal with bullying, as this is something encountered by... Read More

By Lee Vander Loop CP Family Network Editor We’re all aware of the physical and psychological health benefits of keeping children physically active, but for parents and caregivers of children with cerebral palsy, this can often be a challenge. Medical research and personal experience show that people with disabilities benefit greatly when they participate in... Read More

By Lee Vander Loop CP Family Network Editor The term cerebral palsy refers to a group of neurological disorders that appear in infancy or early childhood and permanently affect body movement, muscle coordination, and balance. CP affects the part of the brain that controls muscle movements and can often impair muscle groups needed for self-care... Read More

By Lee Vander Loop Some children with cerebral palsy require physical therapy. Some don’t. Once the diagnosis is made, and the type of cerebral palsy is determined, a team of health care professionals will work to identify specific impairments and needs, and then develop an appropriate plan to address the core disabilities that affect the... Read More

By Lee Vander Loop CP Family Network Editor When my first daughter was born, she exhibited a total absence of any type of oral motor skill and necessitated a feeding tube from birth. Her birth injuries occurred as a result of “cord complications of unknown origin.” When our second child was born with cord complications,... Read More