Navigating Childhood with Cerebral Palsy and Hearing Loss

Disabled and Proud

Brooke is joined by special guest, Peter, to discuss his experience living with cerebral palsy and profound hearing loss.

Peter shares his childhood experiences, including attending a preschool for disabled children and being placed in a deaf unit at school. He talks about his educational journey, from primary school to university, and how he navigated exams and coursework as a disabled student.

Peter also opens up about his passion for the Paralympic sport of Boccia and his journey as an athlete and coach. The conversation delves into the challenges of classification in Paralympic sports and the impact it had on Peter's athletic career.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Peter had a positive educational experience, attending a preschool for disabled children and later mainstream schools with accommodations for his hearing impairment.
• Peter's first language is British Sign Language (BSL), but he primarily communicates through speaking due to his clear speech abilities.
• Peter has been involved in the sport of boccia, a Paralympic sport similar to bowls, and has competed nationally and internationally.
• Peter emphasises the importance of not rushing into decisions, taking time to evaluate and consider options, and maintaining a positive attitude. He also highlights the need for open conversations about mental health and the importance of body language in communication.
• BEST MOMENTS

"I was born three months premature. I was about to say that I blame my parents actually for that. But I can't actually blame them for that."

"Disabled children particularly like in childhood you have a very different childhood."

"I was put in reception year 1 and year 2 in a deaf unit... But in those early years, it was very much the deaf part of me being the focal point."

"I was fairly lucky in terms of that... I was very, very lucky and no one ever chose me, different, especially in a wheelchair as well."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/disabled-and-proud/id1621152878

HOST BIO

Disabled and Proud is the show that brings listeners a different perspective on disability. Each week this podcast highlights an awesome disabled guest speaking about their own disability; why they are proud to be disabled and why they are proud to be themselves.

The conversations in this show will look at what challenges these amazing people face socially, mentally, physically and life in general. This show is raw, open, honest, funny, welcoming and educational.

Disabled & Proud does exactly what it says on the tin! And whilst we are creating this space for disabled people to be unashamedly themselves, without the need to conform to society, this is also not about toxic positivity. This show will be shining a big, bright light on disability without it being “Paralympic or pity”.

As you will hear disability is WHOLE, COMPLETE & PERFECT and whilst the topic of disability can be quite heavy - and we definitely don't shy away from the bad days - this podcast is also about having fun too! Our aim is to play a part in reclaiming the word disability - turning it from inadequacy to perfection!

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