Cerebral Palsy Scotland

Jon McFarlane: Lockdown life

My name is Jon McFarlane, I am 23 years old and have cerebral palsy. I started attending Bobath when I was 2 not being able to walk. Now I have international caps in CP football and this is thanks to the hard work that the fantastic team at Cerebral Palsy Scotland do every day.

Working from home
I am currently studying for a PhD in economics at the University of Strathclyde. My research and my university are something that I am passionate about and genuinely have missed being on campus every day. Our department has been very supportive both before and during this situation and this has been important in transitioning to working from home.

I struggled to work from home at first. I enjoy working in an office environment with others. I am a people’s person and like to have a conversation at any given time.

The thought of working from my room alone, isolated, was worse than the reality. I still have regular catch-ups with my peers on Zoom and meet with my supervisors online a few times per week. Dr Grant Allan and Dr Gioele Figus have been fundamental in supporting me to adapt to working from home and I cannot thank them enough.

Cycling
Without football and golf, I started to look for new sporting ventures. I got myself a bike, got all the gears switched to the left and off I went. Cycling since lockdown has been great. When I have needed a break away from work or needed time alone to let off some steam cycling has been the ideal remedy. It provides exercise, Vitamin D and a challenge.

Reading
Another opportunity that lockdown has given me is time to relax and read for enjoyment. I have used this opportunity to learn about the brain in a lot more detail than I had previously known, and this has helped me understand cerebral palsy more. This understanding genuinely has made me feel happier and content, and without lockdown, I would never have had the time to do this.

Some helpful tips when you are stressed/sad/ anxious/ needing support

Tip 1: Don’t watch the news
The media thrive on negativity and portray negative images of the deaths and infection rates of COVID-19 etc. Although this is important to know and understand, if you are feeling down it is not a good idea to see any negativity – as my granny says “out of sight, out of mind.”

Tip 2: Use technologies available
Apps like headspace and calm are fantastic for both adults and children at helping calm the mind and guiding yourself through stressful times. Mindfulness and wellness are essential right now.

Tip 3: Reach out to your friends and family
These people are there for you. Although you might think “they have their own worries, I won’t bother them”, it is beneficial for everyone to know that everyone else is doing okay.

Tip 4: Ask for help if you need it

As I said, I’m happy to chat anyone – parent, carer, or have CP yourself! Also, Cerebral Palsy Scotland have weekly Zoom coffee and catch ups and are there at the end of the phone or the computer to help, so please reach out if you need to.

Please stay safe, look after yourselves, enjoy life as much as possible and I will see you all soon.

Handling tips for new babies with cerebral palsy

Cerebral Palsy Scotland has produced a short video with therapy tips for handling new babies with cerebral palsy.

Are you at home with a new baby? You might not have a formal diagnosis of cerebral palsy. You might be worried about their motor development. If so, our Senior Bobath Physiotherapist Philip Vervaeke has put together a video from his home demonstrating ways to handle your baby, tips on how to involve new positions and passing to other people and how to use household props to keep you and your baby comfortable.


 

Contact us to arrange a virtual consultation

Please remember you can get in touch to arrange a virtual appointment with a Bobath therapist. We are currently able to offer adults or children a limited number of “lockdown virtual sessions” at no cost. If you have access to the internet and a smartphone, you should be able to take part. Contact us for more information and to make your appointment.

For advice or support on any aspect of your or your child’s cerebral palsy (CP), just contact us by phone or email. We’re happy to help with advice about managing your condition, keeping moving, the support you receive or navigating all the recent guidelines.

Keep moving! Therapy tips video

Cerebral Palsy Scotland has produced a short video with therapy tips and suggestions on ways to keep moving during lockdown.

The video was created by Filip Vervaeke, one of our Bobath therapists. Filip is a physiotherapist who has worked for the charity since 2002, and who has a wealth of experience working with both children and adults with cerebral palsy.

The video covers movements you can try in sitting and in supported standing. Filip hopes to encourage all members of the family to get moving, and use the video together.

 

Contact us to arrange a virtual consultation

Please remember you can get in touch to arrange a virtual appointment with a Bobath therapist. We are currently able to offer adults or children a limited number of “lockdown virtual sessions” at no cost. If you have access to the internet and a smartphone, you should be able to take part. Contact us for more information and to make your appointment.

For advice or support on any aspect of your or your child’s cerebral palsy (CP), just contact us by phone or email. We’re happy to help with advice about managing your condition, keeping moving, the support you receive or navigating all the recent guidelines.

Paul Morris

Paul Morris lives with his family in Alloa. He has extensive experience of the Cerebral Palsy Scotland family through his son Lachlan, who has choreo-athetoid quadriplegic cerebral palsy and has been a regular visitor to the Glasgow centre from the age of two. Paul is a keen fundraiser for the charity, raising funds through various fundraising activities and has been a trustee since 2015.

Paul works for Clackmannanshire Council as Economic Development Strategy Officer. Over a twenty-year career, Paul has amassed considerable experience of local government and the wider public sector, politics, economics and the labour market, including support for those most distant from the world of work.

Allison Mathews

Allison is Programme Manager of the Equality and Human Rights Fund at Inspiring Scotland. Prior to this, Allison worked for 13 years at The National Lottery Community Fund, latterly as their Head of Knowledge and Learning.

She brings to the board a broad knowledge of public and social policy issues in Scotland which impact directly on people with cerebral palsy, particularly around equalities, the social model of disability, and Self-Directed Support.  Allison has skills, knowledge and expertise in funding and fundraising, having both worked as a funder and as a fundraiser. Allison has previously served on non-executive committees such as the Board of Routes to Work. She earned her Masters degree in Economic Development from Glasgow University.