I was asked to write about the issues of concern for my family as they relate to having a young child with CP. For me my son’s transition from toddler to child was the catalyst for a fundamental shift in my mindset. Where as the needs of my son had paralleled those of your typical child as a toddler, his growth meant this was increasingly not the case, and the fact is intentional effort is now required to ensure Johnny gets the most out of life and is not left on the sidelines as life pass’s him by.
In my mind there is a raft of issues that impact my family, ranging from matters of accessibility through to complex emotional issues like asking for help in a dignified manner. The point I feel is central to many of these issues is empowerment, or lack of. Empowerment is key because often the means by which I and my son control our own destiny is heavily influenced by others, this is unique in that often we are talking about immensely important issues like school, healthcare, accessibility equipment etc and to walk away and try somewhere else simply isn’t an option. |
 "Johnny finds dad is ideal transport." |
I want more than anything for my son to have the same sense of control over his destiny as any other member of society, and this can only occur when his empowerment is given the appropriate credence by the disability sector and the people charged with its administration.
In an environment of limited resources it becomes even more important that individuals or complimentary collectives are free and empowered to control their own destiny at which point they will also stand or fall by their own decisions. It is this concept not just in word, but also in actuality that I want my son to be exposed to, and it is something I consider worthy of making a stand on.
John Herring |
