It’s a small world. Having gone to the doctor last week for a routine blood test with the practice nurse, we made light conversation that turned to us talking about cerebral palsy.

It turns out that her daughter was 13 weeks premature and although she wasn’t born with cerebral palsy, like me she’s had complications from being premature that she’s had to deal with. I resonated with her greatly. We went on to talk about ageing and how hard it is, with no clear options or understanding as to what we may have to face long term.

At 25, on my father’s insistence I was finally discharged from the hospital and was told to go away and live my life. I never gave his comment much thought until I realised how hard it has been for me to get to this point.

As far as the practice nurse was concerned, she was very kind and suggested I speak to the Patients Liaison Service who may be able to help me with any questions I have on cerebral palsy.

Ilana Estelle is a mental health and wellbeing advocate who combines educational insight with her personal experience of living with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. She holds diplomas in Counselling, Diet and Nutrition, Nutritional Therapy, Psychotherapy and Counselling, and Stress Management. Through her writing, Ilana supports others in navigating their emotional, mental, and physical health challenges. In addition to writing for The CP Diary, her work has appeared in healthy lifestyle magazines. Ilana is also the author of three books: Cerebral Palsy: A Story – Finding the Calm After the Storm, Spirituality, Healing and Me, and Survival: The Covid Years – Time for Change.

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4 comments on “A small world”

  1. So glad that you found someone that can resonate with you and help you at the same time.

    Her suggestion that you contact the patients' liaison service is very good. I hope you can get more answers and assistance from them.

    1. Thanks Lisa. I am too.

      It will be good to get a little more assistance and to know if there is anyone else out there within my community who also has CP.

  2. It must have been very helpful to discover that you and the practice nurse have this common bond.

    We can often feel alienated and alone and when something like this happens. It reminds us that while our difficulties are ultimately ours, often other people go through similar experiences to us.

    1. Thanks. Yes it was very helpful to know.

      I'm not happy to hear that someone else may struggle too, but it's lovely to know there are others out there we don't know about that may struggle in similar circumstances.

      We tend to think that we're the only ones that go through these sort of challenges, but as my conversation shows it's really not the case.

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