Carly Waugh: Adaptive Parenting

This page has been designed to inform other people about parenting with a disability. Many people who have suffered a life altering injury or disease think becoming a parent is an unattainable goal. This is simply not the case. Through faith and a few pieces of modified equipment nothing is impossible.

Carly always knew she wanted Children. After her injury, she did not give much thought to not being able to handle having children. "I decided to leave it in God's hands. I would not be given more than I could handle. Prayers were answered and I was blessed with a baby boy on October 27, 2005." Carly thought far enough ahead to work out the details of her son's birth but not so far to get bogged down with all the details like how she would handle each phase of Sam's life. "I decided to approach it one day at a time."

"Now that Sam is two, I can honestly say that each phase has presented its challenges but each one has had many blessings to cherish!" Some of the obstacles a person with a disability may encounter are feeding, carrying, and bathing a baby. Another issue could be safely loading a child into a vehicle. Some issues require minimal adaptations, others are more complex and most often need to be suited to each individual's ability.

Some Equipment Tips From Carly:

1. Think outside the box! I did not use a traditional changing table, I used an old kitchen table that I could roll under. A card table works fine too. I also did not use a big contoured changing pad as it got in my way. Instead I used a sleep positioning device that can be purchased at Target for a reasonable price.

Strollers and Car Seats: Early on, try to find the most lightweight stroller available, I purchased a graco car seat and base along with the frame that you pop the car seat into for the stroller. I used the stroller inside the house to transport Sam from one area to the next. When they are real small some people can get away with laying the child straight on his/her lap.

Baths: Bathing an infant - especially early on can be quite a difficult task for someone who resides in a wheelchair and has limited balance. I found the best way to bath Sam was to use the infant tub on top of a table I could roll under such as the changing table. I would fill the tub with warm water using a pitcher. I did not bath him but every couple of days, he got a lot of sponge baths as well. As Sam got older and was able to sit up on his own, I bathed him in the kitchen sink (until he got entirely too big)!

There is so much to share on being a para mom. Just remember to not get too stressed out, ask for help when you need it, and above all enjoy the miracle God has provided for you! Please Visit the photo gallery for more pictures on parenting and equipment!