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RESEARCH Demystifying Adulthood Navigating life with a disability as an adult is a topic that we get asked about regularly. This is an overview of many useful elements, drawing on the perspectives of adults in our community. By AMY HOGAN and RENATA KOTUA The process of navigating adulthood with a disability is a multifaceted one, impacting not only the individuals with the condition but also their families and healthcare professionals. This complexity holds true for Cerebral Palsy, where common questions revolve around what happens as children grow into adults, and how to access information about essential aspects of adult life such as employment and suitable living arrangements. Thankfully, there’s a growing recognition of the importance of a lifespan approach. Research in the lifespan of disability is expanding both in general understandings of health, and specific aspects such as psychological wellbeing and coping strategies. Sometimes it feels like being an adult with a disability is all negative. Maybe what you hear from the doctor or experience in your own life reinforces the differences and struggles. However, adults also develop self-confidence and self- efficacy from constantly having to strategise. Physically the adult body can be calmer than in childhood due to growth and hormonal changes having run their course. Two things can be true at once, your disability can change and with that comes a new set of challenges e.g. mobility needs increasing. The coping strategies and resilience you bring to daily life can make things easier. Elements of Adulthood In the New Zealand context, the way to navigate the health system depends on a GP referral to other services. It is important to find a doctor that works for you. A fundamental element of living with a disability is navigating between wanting to do everything that your peers are doing and understanding when a condition like Cerebral Palsy requires adaptation. Putting resources in place to support your disability can make achieving other elements in your life less exhausting. Four elements come into play: the physical, psychological, practical, and physiological considerations. Living with a disability as an adult means Cerebral Palsy Society’s Researcher and Member Support Advisor Amy Hogan says living with a disability involves navigating between wanting to do everything that your peers are doing and understanding when a condition like Cerebral Palsy requires adaptation. 16 | THE REVIEW JAN–APR 2024