reining-in-the-fire-writing:How to Write a Character with Cerebral PalsyAs someone who lives with...

reining-in-the-fire-writing:

How to Write a Character with Cerebral Palsy

As someone who lives with mild CP, I figured I’d give offer some questions to consider when writing a character with CP.

Know Your Type
What type of CP does your character have?
There are four main types:

Hemiplegia or diplegia: this is when one arm and one leg on the same side of the body (hemiplegia-also what I have) or both legs (diplegia) are affected.

Monoplegia: only one arm or leg is affected

Quadriplegia: both arms and legs are affected. Normally the trunk and the muscles that control the mouth, tongue, and windpipe are affected too.

Triplegia: either both arms and one leg or both legs and one arm are affected.
Knowing which type will help you figure out how their life is affected.How Do They Live?
How is their life affected by cerebral palsy?
Can they do stuff on their own or do they depend on others more?
If they can do stuff independently, what can they do? How do they do it?
Are they able to go to school?
How much of their life is affected?
Do they need to go to doctor’s appointments? If so, what types?
Do they need any special equipment? If so, what types? Do they need any leg or hand braces? What about crutchies/walkers?
How Do They Interact With Other Characters?
When they are out in public, how do other’s treat them?
Do they stare? Are they rude? Do they give your character any special treatment?
Does your character have friends?
How do their friends treat them?
Are they inclusive? Do they treat your character like a normal human being?
Do other kids at school make fun of them?
How do the teachers treat them? Do they give them special treatment? Or are they mean and push their needs to the side?
How do their own family treat them? Are they over-protective? Do they let them do things on their own? Are the siblings understanding?
Are they underestimated?
How Do They Perform in School?
Do they have any learning disabilities? In what subject?
Can they get any extra help?
Can they participate in school full time? If not, what about part-time?
Can they be in the regular class or do they need to be in a special needs class?
What classes are they in? Can they keep up?
What types of grades do they get?
Do they have to work harder to achieve their goals?
How do they do with tests? Do they have test anxiety? If so, how does it hinder them?
How Do They Feel About Their Disability?
Do they understand why they have this disability?
Do they get frustrated easily?
What makes them want to give up?
Have they resigned to having this disability? Or do they hate it? If they hate it, what do they hate about it?
What kind of feelings do they have? Hopelessness? Sadness? Anger? Convey them in your writing.
Do they like to ask for help when they need it? Or do they refuse it and try to do everything on their own? If they do it on their own, does it lead to success or failure?
Do they get upset when they have to wear their required equipment or have to do their regular therapy?
Do They Need Any Therapy?
What type of therapy would they need? Are they just affected physically or are they affected both mentally and physically?
How do they feel about therapy? Are they willing or resistant?
Does it help them at all?
How does it help? Is there any positive progression?
What kind of therapy exercises do they participate in?
What Kind of Person Are They?
Your character’s disability does not define who they are.
Are they smart? Kind? Creative? Describe those characteristics.
Despite how they may be treated, can they still rise up and be a kind, caring person?
What kind of hobbies do they enjoy?
Are they in any school clubs? Do they volunteer in the community?
What interests do they have?

This is what I can think of at the top of my head but if you have any other questions, I’d be happy to answer!