title: Aging with cerebral palsy and other disabilities: personal reflections and recommendations.
abstract: This article describes the lived experience of one 64-year-old woman who is aging with cerebral palsy (CP) and other multiple disabilities. Reflections are offered on coping with secondary conditions and functional decline; fighting the effects of pain and fatigue; and managing well-meaning, but misdirected, medical advice. Recommendations based on the author's personal and professional experience with disabilities, including CP, are presented on the aging process and on preventive care for adults living with CP.
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. gbj4@cdc.gov
authors.forename: Gwyn C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000739:Anecdotes as Topic; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology; D059408:Pain Management; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations