To help you decide which presentations will be of most interest to you, this page contains a short overview of each session at this year’s conference.
OPENING PRESENTATION
Kirsty Colquhoun – Ageing well with cerebral palsy
We will look at how cerebral palsy can impact on the ageing process, as well as societal barriers that can have a negative impact on how we age with cerebral palsy. But, it is not all doom and gloom, we will look at the positive steps we can take to age well and learn from case studies of older adults with cerebral palsy to show that it is never too old to improve!
BREAKOUT SESSIONS 1
1. Adolescence to adulthood with cerebral palsy: what is it like?
Making the transition into adulthood is never simple. When you have cerebral palsy, it’s even harder. After Chloe experienced this herself, she wanted to look into it more. While at university she carried out a research project where she interviewed 10 young adults with cerebral palsy. This contributed to her dissertation, “Unexpected Battles”: The Lived Experiences of Young Adults with Cerebral Palsy and the Transition into Adulthood. In her presentation she’ll be sharing her findings and covering the main themes.
2. A life spent smiling
Howard is a lifelong wheelchair user with cerebral palsy. He has overcome multiple challenges and has helped redefine how certain systems and processes are structured to help people with a disability. He will touch on his life experiences, professional journey and the importance of financial and broader social inclusion as well as thoughts on how the UK can move forward in 2024.
3. Making sense of mental health
This workshop will look at the language of mental health and explore the different factors – both internal and external – which contribute to how we are feeling. There will be a focus on how stress affects our brain and body and how we can develop skills and strategies which enable us to cope. This will include a consideration of the environments, people and activities (including different relaxation exercises) which help to enhance our mood. Throughout the workshop, you will be encouraged to think about the strategies that work best for you, and how you can use these to support your wellbeing.
4. Think carer
This session provides an overview of unpaid caring in Scotland, including key statistics and demographics. It examines carers’ challenges and discusses key legislation, carers’ rights, and professional standards. The session highlights the importance of carers as equal partners in decision-making to enhance care and improve outcomes. It also covers support services and adult carer support plans, emphasising their role in balancing life and caring. Audience participation is encouraged through a Q&A session.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS 2
1. Cerebral palsy, Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI) and CVI-SIM
Research has found 60-70% of children with cerebral palsy also have a condition affecting how their brain interprets their visual surroundings called cerebral visual impairment (CVI). CVI, when unknown or poorly supported, affects learning, friendships, relationships and creates anxiety. The visual difficulties caused by CVI can be as impactful as the physical difficulties caused by cerebral palsy. These findings likely represent children and adults with cerebral palsy. Dr Blaikie, a consultant ophthalmologist, will explain the connection between the two conditions, how to identify CVI in children and adults, and what to do, involving mostly simple cost-free changes. Includes a groundbreaking simulation video.
2. Legal planning for families affected by cerebral palsy
This session will cover:
- Legal rights of parents of children with cerebral palsy – and how that factors into planning
- Support with decision making – Powers of Attorney and Guardianship
- Looking further ahead – Wills and trusts, are they an option and how they can help?
3. Keep your motor running: Staying active with cerebral palsy
In this session, we will discuss approaches to optimising health, activity and wellbeing; drawing on our shared understanding of both lived experience and therapeutic perspectives. Cerebral palsy is unique to everyone living with it, so optimising health and activity needs an individualistic approach. ‘Keep your motor running’ explores ways of developing your own pathway to maximising activity within your own context and limitations. We look at how to find a starting point; identify goals and build support towards achieving your own activity goals.
4. Enriching conversations: Maximising AAC strategies at home
Life is busy, it can be challenging to find time to explore and incorporate Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) strategies and tools. This workshop will provide insights and tools to enhance communication opportunities at home. We will begin with a presentation giving an overview of the following areas:
- Communication partner skills
- Communication strategies and tools
- The importance of personalisation
- Ideas for sharing stories
- Communication opportunities at home
Followed by an interactive session which provides an opportunity to share experiences. This practical session aims to generate discussion and ideas on how to maximise communication opportunities in ways relevant to individual circumstances.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS 3
1. Postural care training: A national approach to 24-hour postural care
Supportive seating, sleep supports, standing frames, walking aids – your posture matters. This session will look at the importance of protecting body shape in those with reduced mobility and preventing destructive postures through the application of 24-hour postural care. Norma will share the recent developments as part of her role within the National Postural Care Strategy Group, the creation of practical postural care training for carers and access to free online training for all.
2. The Dream, Plan, Live person-centred planning programme
This session will focus on person-centred planning, dreaming big and removing the barriers that disability often brings. The workshop will look at what person-centred planning is, why it is important and when to do it. As all of these factors contribute to how successful planning with a disabled person and/or family living with a disability is.
The workshop also covers different methods of person-centred planning and what this involves. The session will be fully interactive and take participants through the person-centred planning journey. Highlighting questions and tools that can be used effectively to ensure that each person-centred planning session focuses on each person that it has been planned with.
The session will end with an opportunity for delegates to see a complete person-centred plan and to have a chance to ask questions about it. As a result of the session the aim would be for delegates to have a firm grasp on what person-centred planning is and what it’s not and how to have a person-centred plan facilitated effectively. The workshop will also give professionals a broad understanding of how to facilitate the plan effectively should they find themselves in this role.
4. My road to becoming a world champion (with Cerebral Palsy Scotland)
The session will take you through Jon’s journey with Cerebral Palsy Scotland from when he was a baby until now. Before Jon attended Cerebral Palsy Scotland, he couldn’t walk, and within the first six weeks of intensive physiotherapy, he was taking his first steps. Fast-forward 25 years, plenty of ups and downs along the way, and Jon is now a Cerebral Palsy Football world champion! This session is designed to share Jon’s lived experiences, communicate the importance of hope and positivity, and hopefully give a light-hearted perspective on his perspectives of living with cerebral palsy.
PANEL DISCUSSION SESSION
Employment journeys
The panel will share their personal employment journeys and discuss some of the challenges and opportunities facing people with cerebral palsy in working life.
