Being born with cerebral palsy meant that I would always have to deal with a wide-ranging variety of secondary conditions as part of the condition. These very much depend on the extent of the impairment and which part of the brain is damaged. I deal with some, but not all these conditions.

Secondary examples are outlined below:

• Deformed bones and joints;
• Sleeping issues;
• Bladder and bowel control problems;
• ADHD or ADD;
• Issues with digestion;
• Low bone density;
• Seizures and epilepsy;
• Heightened or reduced sensitivity of smell, sound and touch;
• Respiratory issues;
• Difficulty feeding and swallowing;
• Poor nutrition absorption.

All secondary conditions resulting from the initial damage can change as we age, and that can make what we deal with harder. It is the secondary conditions that interfere with our ability to cope with our disability.