Social Group For Physical Disabled Teenagers
New to this forum talk thing but hoping someone somewhere can help! I have a 15 year son with CP, physically disabled only, wheelchair bound, uses a powerchair.
Need to find a local social group with similar teenagers for him to join, to enhance his social life. Currently his only social life is on his xbox, facebook or occasionally going out with his twin (who is able bodied) but his twin is now getting girlfriends and its not really cool to have your brother tagging along!! He is in mainstream school and has lots of friends there, but as he has lots of access restrictions, out of school socialisin just doesn't seem to happen.
He's football mad, xbox mad and has a very lively personality and is very keen on drama at school! The odd local disabled groups we have been to over the years (and I admit its not many) seem to be aimed more at learning disabilities rather than the physicalyl disabled?? Aaron is a "normal" teenager, he just can't walk!
Are there any other parents out there who are having a similar problem? Have you found a solution? Would you be willing to share??
I'm getting very worried about him, I don't want him getting depressed - he's caring, fun-loving, and witty! I want to help him have a fulfilling social life .. and even maybe meet some girls who can see past his chair!!
Thanks
Andrea
Hi Andrea
He sounds like a great lad! My son is also 15 and has similar problems but doesn't have the added bonus of a twin. His life is school and computers too. Maybe you should start up a social group? Where are you in the country?
Your son sounds very similar to mine and always seems to slip down the middle for help, everyone seems to think that if they are at mainstream they don't need much support. Have you thought about a buddy for him? Does he receive direct payments? We are looking into this with our son so that he can get out and about without mum and dad but he's not very confident with other people as he is so sheltered because of his disability
Libby
x
There should be more out there for disabled young people. Everyone seems to think that it is only the elderly that are disabled, there seems to be plenty of clubs etc for them but not young people
Libby
x
Try googling disabled sport to see if there is a club near you. My son attended one from the age of six until he went away to college. You don't have to be good at or even particularly interested in sport. It's the getting out and interacting with other young people which is important. Although my son was competant in some sports it was the social side which was more important. I know what you mean though about the good provision for learning disabled people compared with the provision for physically disabled people.
Hello Andrea
You and your son might want to take a look at our young people's pages at www.scope.org.uk/youngpeople, and your son might want to join Meeting Point, our online forum for young disabled people.
Kind regards
Forums Moderator