Additional Needs

Cerebral Palsy Awareness

Posted by Nicola Sheldon on 10th March 2021 Additional Needs, Advice & Support, Disabilities

Share this article

Six years ago I didn’t know anyone with cerebral palsy, and I had never met a disabled kid.

Now I’m a proud parent to a 5 year old with Cerebral Palsy, and for Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month I’d like to tell you a bit about my son.

As a baby, Thomas was very cuddly.

He couldn’t be happier than when he was in someone’s arms.

He adored his big brother from the moment he met him.

They would often snuggle up on the sofa and watch YouTube videos together.

As he got older he developed a love of music and coloured lights.

His favourite toy was a ‘Beatbo’ a singing and dancing robot with a light up tummy.

He would spend hours pressing the buttons and squealing with laughter laughter as we danced around the kitchen.

As a young toddler he really loved Sponge Bob Squarepants.

We knew all the songs from the early series as it was played on repeat for months.

He loved the music in it and Patrick’s slap stick comedy made him his favourite character.

For a long time everything we bought was sponge Bob themed!

At around age 2 he discovered Paw Patrol and dropped Spongebob like a hot potato!

Paw patrol is still a firm favourite and his favourite character is Marshall, he finds him hysterical!

Now everything is Paw Patrol themed, his toys, his clothes and his bedding!

From very young Thomas showed quite the sense of humour, and like a typical boy he particularly enjoys toilet humour!

He enjoys playing pranks on people and struggles to keep a straight face when he’s done something and you haven’t noticed!

He’s a really sociable little boy, he loves spending time with his friends and people watching.

He’s always enjoyed a trip to the coffee shop, or around town.

He loves buying gifts for people.

He also really enjoys spending time outside, especially when it’s a little windy, he loves the feel of the wind in his hair.

He’s a bit of a thrill seeker so loves swinging high in the swings at the park, or a go down a fast slide!

At the moment Thomas really enjoys baking, he’s experimenting with recipes to see how they turn out, he does have a sweet tooth so tends to add extra sugar!! His favourite is chocolate cake.

His favourite book at the moment is Dear Zoo, and the Elephant is his favourite animal.

His favourite colour is Orange, and has been for a while.

He likes playing board games, you have to keep an eye on him as he will try and cheat, even though he doesn’t need to as he is also uncannily lucky!

Thomas has quite the temper when things don’t go his way, and he’s exceptionally stubborn like the rest of his family!

There can definitely be fireworks between him and his brothers!

Like a typical sibling he does like to wind his brothers up, and is often told off for smacking them around the head or pulling their hair.

He recently started school, he likes going to school, but doesn’t like having to learn.

He much prefers the play time with his friends.

All in all I think he’s a fairly typical 5 year old in many ways.

This March, I’d like to remind people that Thomas may have cerebral palsy, but it does not define him.

He, like every other person, is a beautiful, unique human who is many things outside of his diagnosis.