It was not so long ago that persons with severe cerebral palsy were doomed to live out their lives in institutions. Now even people with quadriplegic cerebral palsy can live, work, socialize, and recreate in the general community. This is made possible by something called supported living.

What is supported living?

Supported living holds that all people have the right to live in houses, condos, and apartments in the general community regardless of the kind or severity of their disability. It is up to supported living agencies to figure out how to make this happen on a person by person basis. A person with quadripligic cerebral palsy thus has a chance to rent or buy his own home rather than living out his days in an institution. The supported living agency helps him to set up nursing assistance, in home support services, and staffing from the agency itself. It also assists him to aquire and learn to use assistive technology so that he can achieve maximum independence. Something called "futures planning" is very important

What is assistive technology?

Assistive technology is anything that allows a person to perform a task on her own. It can be as simple as a cup holder carefully designed and placed so that the person with quadriplegic cerebral palsy can drink through a straw unassisted rather than having a person hold a glass for her. There are a variety of ways that people can use a computer, the telephone, or open a door. Even if she has some voluntary movement only from the neck up, a person can use a sip and puff switch to work a computer. Her chin can help steer a power chair, laser beams can be crossed to open and close doors and a pad by her face can be used to make and receive telephone calls.