Unique and United: Supporting Children and Young People with CP
Unique and United: Supporting Children and Young People with CP
World Cerebral Palsy Day celebrates a powerful theme this year: Unique and United. It’s a message that resonates strongly with us at AJM choice as clinicians and with the families we work alongside every day.
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a broad condition. No two people present the same needs, abilities, or challenges. For us, that uniqueness is central. It means every piece of equipment, every mobility aid and every recommendation must be tailored to the individual, never a one-size-fits-all approach.
Recognising individuality
For many of the children and young people we support, mobility equipment becomes part of their journey from an early age. That might start with adaptive buggies, progress to manual or powered wheelchairs, and later include standing frames or more complex seating systems.
But this isn’t just about the functional. Personality, preference, and identity matter just as much. I’ve worked with children who are flamboyant, eccentric, and full of colour, and they want their chair to reflect that. Others prefer something discreet or understated.
Even when a child or young adult is non-verbal, they can still communicate preferences. Facial expressions, body language, or a simple yes/no response can give powerful cues about what feels right for them. Listening to those cues is vital. When we acknowledge individuality in this way, we empower young people to express who they are, not just what they need.
We believe passionately that colour, design, and aesthetic choices should never be dismissed as “extras.” They are a fundamental part of making equipment personal and of recognising that every person is unique.
Empowering choice through collaboration
True empowerment doesn’t happen in isolation. It requires a united effort from everyone involved, from clinicians and therapists to suppliers, teachers, and even families. Each plays a role in ensuring that children with CP not only receive the right clinical support, but also the right equipment to reflect their lifestyle and personality.
At AJM Choice, we work closely with families to make sure decisions are shared. Parents bring insight into daily routines and aspirations, while clinicians provide expertise, and children themselves, however they communicate, provide the direction.
When these voices come together, equipment stops being a clinical necessity and becomes a tool for confidence, independence, and identity.
Growing up with CP
Transitions are often the most meaningful stages. A child moving from a buggy into their first wheelchair may experience this as a milestone moment, both exciting and daunting. Teenagers often place importance on style and personalisation. Being able to choose a bold colour or a modern design can have a huge impact on confidence, self-esteem, and how peers perceive them.
These decisions may seem small, but they are powerful. They say: you matter, your voice counts, and your uniqueness is recognised.
United in purpose
The “united” part of this year’s theme reminds us that no single professional, supplier, or family member can achieve this alone. It’s only when we work together, combining expertise, resources, and empathy, that we can create outcomes which truly empower.
Being united means more than agreeing on the right seat height or backrest. It means collectively ensuring that children and young people with CP are supported to be themselves, fully and unapologetically.
On World Cerebral Palsy Day, we want to share this simple message: every young person with CP deserves mobility that reflects who they are, not just what they need. They are unique. And when we work together, they can be united too. Supported by the right people, the right expertise, and the right equipment.
