| Will science find a cure for CP? The answer | | | | as overt child abuse. Often, the care of |
| is complex. Since CP is actually a set of | | | | children with CP can be quite taxing |
| symptoms associated with a variety of causes, | | | | emotionally and financially on the family. |
| potential treatments will have to be | | | | The appropriate care for children with CP, |
| manifold. Recent scientific findings have | | | | therefore, must take into account mental |
| brought a ray of hope to an otherwise dreary | | | | health and financial support for families and |
| outlook. Many scientists are now focusing on | | | | caregivers. Many state-run programs provide |
| recent discoveries that suggest we will be | | | | out-of-home schooling as well as respite care |
| able to replace lost or damaged brain cells. | | | | for the caregivers, but these services often |
| While such therapies are not yet available, | | | | falls short of what is truly needed. |
| it is likely that real clinical trials will | | | | Healthcare practitioners can very simply |
| begin in the next 5 to 10 years. | | | | improve the lives of their patients by taking |
| | | | some extra time to listen to the concerns and |
| It cannot be overemphasized that the most | | | | hopes of the caregivers and provide |
| important person in the lives of children | | | | thoughtful answers to their questions. |
| with CP is their caregiver. The caregiver, | | | | |
| whether a parent or other person, must be | | | | We must recognize that many, and possibly |
| able to recognize a child's needs and provide | | | | most, children with CP can lead full, |
| for him or her in a loving, positive | | | | meaningful, and happy lives. The team of |
| environment. Because of the difficulty that | | | | parents, caregivers, and health practitioners |
| many children with CP have in expressing | | | | have the responsibility to help the child |
| their needs, they are at great risk for | | | | with CP achieve this goal. |
| unintentional and intentional neglect as well | | | | |