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“Enjoy the joy” of being a parent

16 Jul 2026

Parenting is a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows, but when you add living with a disability into the mix, there are extra challenges to contend with.

Cerebral Palsy Society members Kris Edwards and Tiresa Sio say when you live with Cerebral Palsy (CP) – Hōkai Nukurangi, there is a sense of fear and nervousness in the early days of parenting.

But when they made adjustments and gave themselves some breathing space, they were able to “enjoy the joy” of parenting.

Here, Kris, dad to 14-year-old Caleb and stepson Zac, 22, shares his experiences of raising a child when you live with Cerebral Palsy.
Tiresa, mum to Callan, 27, shares her journey here.

Kris Edwards

Kris and his son Caleb.

What GMFCS level are you? How does CP affect your body and what impact does that have/has it had on parenting?

I am GMFCS level 2. CP affects my legs (diplegia) so a big impact on walking, balance and co-ordination.

As someone who lives with CP, did you have any concerns, fears or worries about becoming a parent? What were they and how did you work through them?

Yes I did, I had lots of fears about having a child and was secretly stressed about having a child with CP. I really did not want this life for him. The second he was born I checked his legs! I am grateful he was born with no complications and continues to be a healthy child.

Aside from his birth I had concerns about how much my CP gets in the way of raising a child and how much more pressure that puts on my wife.

On a practical/physical level, what are the biggest day-to-day challenges you face/have faced as a parent living with a disability?

I sometimes get a sore back and [I needed to be aware of] the amount of lifting and carrying I’d need to do in and out of prams, picking him up, carrying him. I also was genuinely worried about dropping him or falling over while holding him as my balance wasn’t great, which did happen a couple of times. Thankfully I have mastered the art of falling safely so no harm done to either of us.

What information would you like to see made available about parenting when you live with CP?

Awareness of what is available to assist me as a disabled parent. There is absolutely no checkpoint in our system for the parent to identify themselves as someone who is disabled its currently all on the individual.

There is no expectation from any organisation to advise a parent that they can help. Home help/mobility parking/carrying aid/modifications to cots or prams. I now know these are options but there is no onboarding options within our system.

What strengths (aka superpowers) have you developed as a parent who lives with a disability?

Planning to find ways to work around my CP so I can be fully involved as a parent, so I can enjoy it and to guard the feelings of my child and and not put him in embarrassing situations in front of his friends.

It’s easily done – I help take training for his rugby team, I worked on ways for others to demonstrate any drills, organising Caleb on what to do before practice starts. If we went to school camp I’d sort with teachers or another parent to help with our gear so I didn’t look too awkward and could spend time with Caleb.

A key learning was to accept my limitations
and work around them.

What strengths (physical or emotional) or traits did your child develop because they have a parent with a disability?

Because of having a parent with a disability my son is comfortable assisting anyone who needs help. If anyone at school needs help carrying anything, opening doors, with their shoes, he’s there. He is patient, accepting of others and just very ‘can do’. It’s great to see.

Do you have a personal story/experience (funny, heartwarming, poignant) you’d like to share about parenting when you live with CP?

One funny thing I had to deal with as a parent of a toddler was my son running away from me in the mall, I couldn’t catch him!

He also used to be able to mimic my walk perfectly, but if I was walking behind him it looked like I was making fun of a little kid and his walking! I had to tell him to stop as I was getting dirty looks!

What advice would you give to those who live with CP and are parents?

Work things out the way it works for you and your family unit plus how your body works best.

Try and budget for extra treatments that you know help keep you as relaxed and supple as you can be. Gym sessions, massages and walks will all help keep your body strong and will help with mental health.

Parenting is exciting but is tiring and can be at times stressful.

Is there anything else you’d like to share/you think other parents would benefit from knowing?

My main thought about parenting now, as someone with a disability, is to know and be honest about your limitations. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself.

Parenting will expose all your fragilities I found, especially physically, so if you can get fitter do so, use resources you are comfortable using.