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What help is out there for disabled parent/s?

5 replies

LittlePea18 · 12/10/2017 12:57

Hiya,

So to put it in short - my DH has hemiplegia Cerebral Palsy and it affects his right side. He can walk fairly well, that's not a problem; He has ok strength in the right arm but no control in it or his hand. Along with this, he suffer with epilepsy, dystonia and hyper-mobility - he only works part time (more hours in the seasons - but not guaranteed) and i work full time. I don't think my maternity pay is going to be much more than statutory, so money does worry me but more than anything, he ability worries me - but i know it worries him more.
Does anyone know of any help out there, not just monetary but physical help?
I mean i don't honest know what im trying to ask here, there's a lot to consider!

Thanks in advance,
Pea

OP posts:

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ChocolatePancake · 12/10/2017 19:31

Hi love, I haven't had any experience with this but I just found this page which may be helpful? www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Disability/Pages/help-for-disabled-parents.aspx

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ChocolatePancake · 12/10/2017 19:33

www.netmums.com/coffeehouse/advice-support-40/special-needs-disabilities-support-502/disabled-parents-779/

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curliegirlie · 12/10/2017 22:59

I have hemiplegia and I have to say I’ve found things a lot easier than I thought I would. My DD is two and I’ve always been able to carry her, take her up and down stairs, get her dressed, change her etc. etc. The only thing I really need help with is her bath and my DH does it with me, so he can pick her up when she’s slippy! I wasn’t a fan of manoeuvring the buggy at first and so used a sling whenever I could, and it’s only been in the last few months when she’s become too heavy to carry in the sling for long periods of time that I’ve been using the buggy more - and that’s been fine, too. My sling is the Babasling. I know a lot of people don’t get on with it, but I’ve found it amazing, as I’ve only had to adjust it once and it hasn’t got lots of awkward two-handed clips, so dead easy. The buggy is a Graco one - pretty lightweight for a travel system and it collapses one-handedly.

My daughter has Downs and gets OT, but they’ve always looked after me too - for instance, they’ve loaned us a cot that opens at the side and moves up and down, so it’s easier for me to put her down to sleep.

I’m actually expecting my second - so the challenges can’t have put me off that much!!

Your DH will be absolutely fine, but it looks like ChocolatePancake has got some great resources there!

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Mrstobe90 · 12/10/2017 23:41

I think your best bet would be to speak to your midwife or the CAB. They’ll have experienced many people in similar situations and will hopefully be able to give you the help you need! I hope you get all the support you need!

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LittlePea18 · 15/10/2017 11:25

Wow! Thank you everyone!!

curliegirlie thank you so much for that, that’s very inspiring! I read it out to DH and I saw his face relax instantly! Congrats on number 2!!
The CAB was definitely one of the places I was going to go to but closer to the time.
ChocolatePancake thank you for those links, they are very useful!!

We are both feeling more relieved now, I think we have some planning to do!