Hello

I was wondering if any of the mums out there who have children with CP have a job? and how do you find you cope with it? the reason for me asking was the situation I am in at present is this:

I have a beautiful 2 year old girl who has Cerebral Palsy Spastic Quad, she is due to start a local specialist nursery soon for 2 full days a week, which leaves me with two free days. It works out that if I work and get paid for it I loose money because of what the working tax will take from me, therefore I can't afford to do that. I have tried many different scenarios with hours etc but I still loose money. Or is there any way around this at all? If you do work, how do you find juggling the housework / chores and all the therapists?

At present we see 13 people that are under my daughters care, as you can imagine we have a busy time!

Would be good to hear from other mums that have children with CP.

Hi, I don't have a job outside the home like an 8 - 5 type thing. We run our own computer business out of our home. So it is rather easy for me to work around the kids' schedule. We also homeschool, so how do we juggle it all???? We have this mind set that it will all get done eventually, just not right this moment.

Are you saying you want to work? Or are you just wanting to get out of the house for a few hours? You kept saying that you would lose money by working--but if you are wanting to work in the future, how about volunteering, so that if or when you can work full time, you will already be networking with people and places?

Hi! I have a 2 1/2 year old with CP. I used to work when I lived in Iowa because my mother could watch my daughter. Now, she sees many specialists and we have no family support in FL. My husband works and I stay home (even though my daughter goes to a special pre-school a few hours each day). This way I am able to take her to her many appointments and therapies (as I'm sure you are aware of). I'm also a graduate student so I guess that's kind of like a job! I'm in the research part of my degree so my time is my own. I say if you can't work perhaps volunteer in your community with that extra time. You'll get the great feeling of giving back and you can be very flexible with your time.

You have my sympathies. my wife and I are both teachers in a small community we have found a wonderful nanny for our other two children and she takes great care of our Katelyn (with CP). She even drives her to some therapy sessions and picks her up from her school. She has been a blessing. Without her and good insurance one of us would probalby have to stay home.

Hi all

Yes I would love to work but I know that is not possible financially.
I have looked into volunteering but I am finding that most of the voluntary roles are in the caring profession, I would love to be taken away from that for a change as that is what i do 24/7. I have decided to do some short courses like Cookery, Pottery etc while Olivia is at nursery, this should keep me going!

Thank you very much for all of your replies. Very interesting to hear them especially as you are all from far afield.

Keep in touch
Mandy