Hi I am a student Health Visitor and am doing my dissertation on 'the role of the Health Visitor for children with special needs.' I would be very interested therefore if any parents/carers would be willing to share their experiences with me (good or bad) Thanking you in advance. PS I have a personal interest as my grandson is severely disabled with Congenital CMV

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2003

Answers

Hi My 8 year old son has Cerebral Palsy and wasn't diagnosed until he was 2 and a half. I'm sorry to say that I didn't find my HV helpful at all! I was pregnant with my second child when we had the diagnosis for our eldest one and when I contacted my HV to tell her, she her comments were along the lines of "Oh dear, poor you. Well, I'll be in contact when your new baby arrives". Great help there!!! She didn't support me or help me through any of it and I felt she was more interested in the new baby even though the oldest was only 2 and a half when it was born. I'm sorry to say that the contact I've had with other mums in my position is very much the same. Sorry its negative feedback, but I felt that unless you had a lovely healthy baby, they're not interested.

-- Anonymous, September 06, 2004