When it comes to housing, people with cerebral palsy (CP) have special considerations that must be taken into account. Home modifications can be necessary to ensure access throughout the house, which may involve eliminating steps or providing devices to go up and down them. Corridors and doors must also be sufficient. Structural modifications can be made inside the person's unit, as well as in any area of public and common use of a building.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development has laws that require landlords to make certain types of modifications, and there are government loans and tax exemptions available to make these modifications cost-effective. Accessible living space is essential for independent living and to enable people with disabilities to live in the community. Inadequate housing for people with disabilities has serious consequences, as evidenced by a study in the United Kingdom that showed there are more than 4 million people who have difficulty moving, but only 80,000 are in affordable housing. As there is no known cure for CP, finding appropriate medical care and ongoing support is essential to improve a person's quality of life. The art workshop of the Association of People with Cerebral Palsy in the canton of Sarajevo is made up of 9 women, 7 with CP and 2 with paraplegia. People with CP use more energy than healthy people when walking or moving, so it is important to establish the best ways to manage their symptoms so they can get the most out of life as they mature and reach adulthood.
Depending on the time of influence, the causes of cerebral palsy can be divided into prenatal (from conception to the onset of labor), perinatal (onset of labor until 28 days) and postnatal (from 29 days of age to two years).An unfortunate result of having such a physically pronounced condition is that sometimes doctors and specialists may overlook mental and emotional health during exams. Finding the right housing options when a family member has a disability can be a difficult task due to the number of factors that must be considered. For many children with CP and their families, chronic psychological problems may have a greater impact than physical impairments, and this possibility should also be investigated in longitudinal studies. In addition, people with disabilities may be eligible for other help for people with low incomes, such as emergency housing, assistance with buying a home, or assistance with a down payment. Educating people with CP and their families on specific exercises to improve posture, balance and coordination, increase mobility volume and prevent deformity deterioration had an impact on personal skills. Professionals and parents should know that children with CP are at greater risk of suffering psychological problems than their non-disabled peers, and this can be attributed to problems adapting to their adverse circumstances, in addition to having an organic basis.
The study on the influence of prenatal etiological factors on the learning problems of children and adolescents with CP in the canton of Sarajevo was carried out with a sample of 80 participants aged between 6 and 20 years; 25 children (6 to 1 years old) and 75 adolescents (12 to 20 years old). Of the 33 children with CP and epilepsy, 14 (42.4%) could walk independently, 1 (3%) needed to hold the hand of their mother or friend, 2 (6%) children walked with an assistance device (walker) and 16 (48.5%) children could not walk because they needed a wheelchair. This definition applies to all people who have difficulty performing daily activities at home as a result of a disability. Finding appropriate housing solutions for those living with CP is essential for them to live independently in their communities.
