Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness: Eating Challenges, Adaptive Tools, and Food Tolerance Tips

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects far more than joints—it often affects how, when, and what a person can eat. Pain, stiffness, fatigue, medication side effects, and digestive sensitivity can make everyday meals exhausting. During Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness, it’s important to talk honestly about these challenges—and the practical solutions that help people keep eating well.

Food is nourishment, but for people living with RA, it also requires adaptation, flexibility, and compassion.

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Common Eating Challenges With Rheumatoid Arthritis

1. Hand Pain, Weak Grip, and Limited Mobility

Inflammation in the hands, wrists, shoulders, and elbows can make it difficult to:

• Open jars or packages

• Hold utensils

• Cut food

• Lift pots or plates

On high-pain days, even simple meals can feel overwhelming.

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2. Fatigue That Limits Meal Preparation

RA-related fatigue is not “just being tired.” It can make:

• Standing at the stove difficult

• Grocery shopping exhausting

• Cooking from scratch unrealistic

This often leads people to skip meals or rely on less nutritious convenience foods—not by choice, but by necessity.

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3. Jaw, Neck, or TMJ Involvement

Some individuals with RA experience:

• Jaw stiffness or pain

• Difficulty chewing

• Pain with crunchy or tough foods

This can limit food variety and make eating uncomfortable.

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4. Digestive Sensitivities & Medication Side Effects

RA medications may cause:

• Nausea

• Appetite loss

• Acid reflux

• Changes in taste

In addition, inflammation can affect digestion, making some foods harder to tolerate during flares.

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Adaptive Tools That Make Eating Easier

Adaptive tools are not “giving up”—they are smart problem-solving tools that protect joints and preserve independence.

Helpful Kitchen & Eating Tools

• Built-up or foam-handled utensils (easier grip)

• Rocker knives (cut food with one hand)

• Lightweight cups with lids or straws

• Jar openers and electric can openers

• Non-slip mats to stabilize plates and cutting boards

• Food processors or mini choppers to reduce chopping

Small changes can dramatically reduce pain and fatigue at mealtime.

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Eating Strategies for Better Food Tolerance

1. Choose Softer, Easier-to-Chew Foods

On flare days, prioritize:

• Soups and stews

• Yogurt, cottage cheese, and smoothies

• Scrambled eggs

• Oatmeal or soft whole grains

• Cooked vegetables instead of raw

Texture matters just as much as nutrition.

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2. Use Gentle Cooking Methods

Steaming, slow-cooking, roasting, and braising help:

• Soften foods

• Improve digestibility

• Reduce chewing effort

Slow cookers and sheet-pan meals are joint-friendly and energy-saving.

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3. Eat Smaller, More Frequent Meals

Large meals can worsen fatigue and nausea. Smaller meals:

• Support steady energy

• Improve tolerance during medication use

• Reduce digestive discomfort

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4. Personalize Food Choices—There Is No Universal “RA Diet”

Food tolerance is highly individual. Some people notice symptom changes with:

• Excessively greasy foods

• Very spicy foods

• Large amounts of added sugars

• Alcohol

A simple food-and-symptom journal can help identify personal triggers—without unnecessary restriction.

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5. Prioritize Anti-Inflammatory, Nutrient-Dense Foods

Even with limitations, aim for foods that support overall health:

• Fatty fish (or soft fish spreads)

• Beans, lentils, or hummus

• Cooked leafy greens

• Olive oil

• Soft fruits like berries or bananas

Nutrition should work with your body, not against it.

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Emotional & Social Aspects of Eating With RA

Eating challenges can affect more than nutrition:

• Embarrassment eating in public

• Frustration needing help

• Grief over foods once enjoyed

Acknowledging these emotions matters. Adaptive tools and modified meals are not signs of weakness—they are tools for dignity and independence.

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The Role of Professional Support

A Registered Dietitian can help:

• Adjust meals around medication schedules

• Prevent unintentional weight loss or gain

• Support bone and heart health

• Create flare-friendly meal plans

Organizations like the Arthritis Foundation also provide education and adaptive living resources for people with arthritis.

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Awareness Means Access and Understanding

Rheumatoid arthritis changes how people eat—but with the right tools, strategies, and support, nourishing meals remain possible. Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness is not only about the disease—it’s about ensuring people have access to adaptive tools, realistic nutrition guidance, and the dignity to eat comfortably.

World Cerebral Palsy Day - Feeding Challenges

Meet my son, Jake.

Written by Tracy S. Williams, BS, Nutrition Educator. 

Learn more about Tracy at Tracy's Plate

World Cerebral Palsy Day

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a broad term used to describe a group of chronic “palsies”- disorders that impair movement due to damage of the developing brain. CP usually develops by age 2 or 3 and is a non-progressive brain disorder, meaning the brain damage does not continue to worsen throughout life. However, the symptoms damage often changes over time- sometimes getting better and sometimes getting worse. CP is one of the most common causes of childhood disability.

About 10,000 infants are diagnosed with CP and up to 1,500 preschoolers in the U.S. are recognized as having CP each year. The United Cerebral Palsy Association estimates that more than 764,000 Americans have CP. Congenital cerebral palsy caused by a brain injury during a baby’s development in the womb is responsible in about 70% of the children who have the condition. It is present at birth, although it may not be detected for months. An additional 20% have congenital cerebral palsy due to a brain injury during the birthing process. In most cases, the cause of congenital cerebral palsy is unknown, however, some possible causes are:

An infection during pregnancy may damage a fetus’s developing nervous system. They include rubella (German measles), cytomegalovirus (a herpes-type virus), and toxoplasmosis (an infection caused by a parasite that can be carried in cat feces or inadequately cooked meat). Other undetected infections in pregnant women are being recognized as an important cause of developmental brain damage in the fetus.

· Severe jaundice in the infant. Jaundice is caused by excessive bilirubin in the blood. Normally, bilirubin is filtered out by the liver. Often, newborns’ livers need a few days to start doing this effectively, so it’s not uncommon for infants to have jaundice for a few days after birth. In most cases, light therapy clears up jaundice and there are no lasting health effects. In rare cases, severe cases of jaundice can damage brain cells.

· Rh incompatibility between mother and infant can be a cause of cerebral palsy. In this blood condition, the mother’s body produces antibodies that destroy the fetus’s blood cells. This leads to jaundice may cause brain damage in the newborn.

· The physical or metabolic trauma of birth can be a cause of cerebral palsy. This can produce brain damage in a fetus whose health has been threatened during development. Severe oxygen deprivation to the brain or significant trauma to the head during labor and delivery can be the cause of cerebral palsy.

Feeding Skills

Feeding skills have been cited as a contributing factor that can affect the life expectancy of those with CP. Managing these can positively affect the life span of an individual with cerebral palsy. When people with cerebral palsy have feeding and digestive challenges, a nutrition care program can be beneficial. Skilled registered dietitian nutritionists work with physicians to adjust diet, food intake and nutrition supplements to enhance overall health. Effective dietary therapy can be devised to meet the individual’s unique needs taking into account digestive challenges and the ability to properly chew, swallow and self-feed.

Nutrition practitioners can adjust textures and consistency of food by pureeing, chopping, and grinding foods for a smoother eating experience. Foods can be softened with broth, gravy, milk, or juices. Liquids can be thickened to improve swallowing. Self-feeding is a skill that significantly enhances the quality of life for someone with a disability, although caregivers, family or friends may still be needed. Speech therapists can teach patients, their friends, or caregivers about adaptive feeding tools that can accommodate different levels of ability. Appropriate techniques can include space between feedings, to allow for natural swallowing, or feeding smaller portions throughout the day. In the most severe cases, some people with cerebral palsy rely on a feeding tube for partial or total nutrition intake. It is important to adjust to allow sufficient time between bites and drinks for natural swallowing. Some meals should be scheduled around medication times to avoid stomach upset, curb appetites and address feelings of being tired.

If a person with cerebral palsy has trouble with asphyxiation, reflux, or pneumonia, he or she should avoid foods, such as nuts, seeds, and hard or stringy foods. Diets can be changed to provide more calories, better balance, compensate for deficiencies and enhance digestion. Vitamin, minerals, and food supplements may help with malabsorption or who tire when eating. High fiber choices can curb constipation while prune and apricot juices may provide natural laxative qualities. Some people with cerebral palsy need to control drooling and aspiration, in addition, use long-term anti-seizure medications can contribute to an increased risk of tooth decay, cavities, gum disease, and bacterial infections. Dietitians may advise substituting added sugars and carbonated drinks with fresh fruits and vegetables. Dentists will encourage proper dental hygiene like regular brushing, drinking fluorinated water and regular checkups

Many people fight stereotypes and those with disabilities are no exception. Barriers individuals with disabilities face begin with people’s attitudes that are often rooted in misinformation and misunderstandings of what it’s like to live with a disability. One misconception is that all people living with disabilities are brave and courageous, but people with disabilities just need to adapt to a currently different lifestyle. Sometimes wheelchairs are used as typical mobility devices rather than for people who are only ill or sickly. In past decades, segregating people with disabilities in separate schools and institutions reinforced the perception that people with disabilities could only interact with others who have disabilities. Any person who does not have a disability can offer assistance, but most people with disabilities prefer to take responsibility for their own care when physically possible both in the community, within all parts of society. It is okay for curious children to ask questions about disability. Discouraging curious children from asking questions teaches children that having a difference or disability is wrong or bad. Many people with a disability will not mind answering a child’s question. People with disabilities go to school, get married, have families, do laundry, grocery shop, laugh, cry, pay taxes, get angry, have prejudices, plan and dream about their future like everyone else. It is important to encourage participation from people with disabilities by providing accessible meeting and event sites. It is important for advocates to speak up when negative words or phrases are used for people with a variety of disabilities.

Cerebral palsy can affect someone who has it in a variety of ways. Some people with cerebral palsy can be impacted by having limited verbal ability, limited cognitive ability, all four limbs affected, or just their legs impacted. Some people use one cane or crutch, while others use a walker or two crutches. Some people use a manual wheelchair or motorized wheelchair. Some people may experience nutritional issues due to difficulties feeding themselves or digestive problems. You may have met one classmate, colleague, or friend with cerebral palsy, but that does not mean everyone is impacted in the same way by the same diagnosis. All people with disabilities deserve the same level of respect, and it is important to help those with disabilities advocate against social misconceptions.

Resources
1.  CP NOW nonprofit & CP Daily Living

2. United Cerebral Palsy
3. World Cerebral Palsy Day

October Wellness News

Current News, Resources, and Events in Nutrition, Food, Health, Environment, Safety, and Disability Rights. Encourages awareness and inspires ideas for Journalists, Educators, Consumers, and Health Professionals. 

October Monthly Events

October Health, Nutrition, and Food Events
Monthly Events

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month National Disability Employment Awareness Month Dyslexia Awareness Month  Global Diversity Awareness Month Health Literacy Month Learning Disability Awareness Month National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month  National Chiropractic Health Month National Dental Hygiene Month National Depression Education & Awareness National Down Syndrome Awareness Month National Liver Awareness Month Domestic Violence Awareness Month National Crime Prevention Month   National Cyber Security Awareness Month National Physical Therapy Month   National Reading Group Month National Spina Bifida Awareness Month  National Work and Family Month German American Heritage Month Italian-American Heritage Month Polish American Heritage Month Talk About Prescriptions Month World Menopause Month National Photographer Appreciation Month Adopt a Shelter Dog Month Fair Trade Month Gourmet Adventures Month

UNICEF Tackling Hunger Month Halloween Safety Month National Farm to School Month Vegetarian Month National Apple Month Corn Month  National Bake and Decorate Month Caffeine Addiction Recovery Month National Caramel Month  National Chili Month National Cookbook Month National Cookie Month National Country Ham Month National Dessert Month National Pasta Month National Pickled Peppers Month National Pizza Month National Popcorn Poppin' Month National Pork Month  National Pretzel Month Sausage Month National Seafood Month National Spinach-Lovers Month Non-GMO Month Co-op Awareness Month Eat Better, Eat Together Month National Kitchen and Bath Month

Weekly Events

1-2 Yom Kippur
1-7 Universal Children's Week
1-7 National Walk Your Dog Week
3-10 No Salt Week:
5-11 Mental Illness Awareness Week
5-11 Healthcare Foodservice Workers Week
5-11 4-H Week
5-11 National Metric Week
5-11 Fire Prevention Week
6-12 Pet Obesity Week
6-13 Sukkot
11-14 FNCE, Nashville
12-18 National Chestnut Week 
12-18 National Food Bank Week
12-18 OCD Awareness Week
13-18 National School Lunch Week
13-18 World Rainforest Week
19-25 International Infection Prevention Week
19-25 National Chemistry Week
20-26 Food & Drug Interaction Education
20-24 National Health Education Week
20-26 Freedom of Speech Week

Daily Events

1          UN International Day of Older Persons, World Vegetarian Day, International Coffee Day, National Homemade Cookies Day, Vegan Baking Day,  Yom Kippur (sundown), National Pumpkin Seed Day, National Kale Day, Walk to School Day

2          UN International Day of Non-Violence, World Day for Farmed Animals,  National Fried Scallops Day, National Produce Misting Day

3          National Caramel Custard Day, World Smile Day

4          National Taco Day, World Animal Day, Vodka Day, World Child Health Day, National Banana Pudding Day, World Porridge Day

5          UN World Teachers Day, National Apple Betty Day, National Depression Screening Day, Country Inn Bed & Breakfast Day

6          Noodle Day, World Cerebral Palsy Day, National Plus Size Appreciation Day, National German-American Day, World Day of Bullying Prevention (First Monday), Sukkot

7          National Frappe Day, National Chocolate Covered Pretzel Day, National Eat Fruit at Work Day  

8          National Perogy Day, National Fluffernutter Day, National Salmon Day, World Octopus Day, Bullying Prevention Day (2nd Wednesday), S.A.V.E. (Stop America's Violence Everywhere) 2nd Wednesday, National Take Your Parents to Lunch Day (2nd Wednesday)

9          World Post Day, National Moldy Cheese Day, International Beer and Pizza Day, National Depression Screening Day (Thursday of first full Week)

10        World Mental Health Day, National Angel Food Cake Day, World Homeless Day, National Cake Decorating Day, National Metric Day, World Egg Day

11        International Day of the Girl, National Sausage Pizza Day, Southern Food Heritage Day, National Pet Obesity Awareness Day, I Love Yarn Day (2nd Saturday)

12        National Gumbo Day, National Farmer’s Day, World Arthritis Day, Columbus Day

13        Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day, National Yorkshire Pudding Day, Columbus Day observed; Indigenous Peoples' Day (2nd Monday)

14        National Dessert Day, Chocolate-Covered Insect Day, Native American Day, International Face Your Fears Day (2nd Tuesday); Simchat Torah

15        UN International Day of Rural Women, Global Hand Washing Day, National Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Day, National Mushroom Day, National Roast Pheasant Day, National Chicken Cacciatore Day, National Cheese Curd Day, National White Cane Safety Day  

16        World Food Day

17        UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, National Pasta Day, Mulligan Day, Mammography Day (Third Friday)  

18        World Menopause Day, National Chocolate Cupcake Day, Meatloaf Appreciation Day, National Mammography Day, Sweetest Day (3rd Saturday

19        National Seafood Bisque Day 

20        World Osteoporosis Day, National Brandied Fruit Day, International Chefs Day, National Clean Your Virtual Desktop Day

21        National Apple Month, Global Iodine Deficiency Disorder Day, National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day

22        National Nut Day, National Color Day, National Tex-Mex Day

23        National Boston Cream Pie Day

24        United Nations Day, World Development Information Day, National Bologna Day, Food Day

25        National Greasy Foods Day, World Pasta Day, Sourest Day

26        National Mincemeat Pie Day, National Pumpkin Day, National Chicken Fried Steak Day, Mother-in-Law Day (Always 4th Sunday)

27        National Farm to School Month, National American Beer Day 

28        Wild Foods Day, National Chocolate Day

29        National Oatmeal Day, World Stroke Day

30        National Candy Corn Day, Haunted Refrigerator Night, Checklist Day

31        Halloween, National Magic Day, National UNICEF Day, Trick or Treat for UNICEF, Nevada 36th State, National Caramel Apple Day, Frankenstein Friday

	Months
	January	July
	February	August
	March	September
	April	October
	May	November
	June	December

 

National Barrier Awareness Day - Barriers to Health Care

Barriers to Health Care

• “After you turn into an adult with cerebral palsy, there is little medical support. Most of the studies, surgeries, and what have you are done with children with cerebral palsy. I walk into a doctor’s office and say I have cerebral palsy and get “that look” from the doctor. The look most adults with CP have seen numerous times in their life, the look of “Oh crap, I am going to have to Google this when I get home.” - Mary Catherine

People with disabilities encounter a range of barriers when they attempt to access health care including the following.

Prohibitive costs

Affordability of health services and transportation are two main reasons why people with disabilities do not receive needed health care in low-income countries - 32-33% of non-disabled people are unable to afford health care compared to 51-53% of people with disabilities.

Limited availability of services
The lack of appropriate services for people with disabilities is a significant barrier to health care. For example, research in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu states of India found that after the cost, the lack of services in the area was the second most significant barrier to using health facilities.

Physical barriers
Uneven access to buildings (hospitals, health centers), inaccessible medical equipment, poor signage, narrow doorways, internal steps, inadequate bathroom facilities, and inaccessible parking areas create barriers to health care facilities. For example, women with mobility difficulties are often unable to access breast and cervical cancer screening because examination tables are not height-adjustable and mammography equipment only accommodates women who are able to stand.

Inadequate skills and knowledge of health workers
People with disabilities were more than twice as likely to report finding health care provider skills inadequate to meet their needs, four times more likely to report being treated badly and nearly three times more likely to report being denied care.

Addressing barriers to health care

Governments can improve health outcomes for people with disabilities by improving access to quality, affordable health care services, which make the best use of available resources. As several factors interact to inhibit access to health care, reforms in all the interacting components of the health care system are required.

Policy and legislation
Assess existing policies and services, identify priorities to reduce health inequalities, and plan improvements for access and inclusion. Establish health care standards related to the care of persons with disabilities with enforcement mechanisms.

Service delivery

Provide a broad range of modifications and adjustments (reasonable accommodation) to facilitate access to health care services. For example, changing the physical layout of clinics to provide access for people with mobility difficulties or communicating health information in accessible formats such as Braille. Empower people with disabilities to maximize their health by providing information, training, and peer support. Promote community-based rehabilitation (CBR) to facilitate access for disabled people to existing services. Identify groups that require alternative service delivery models, for example, targeted services or care coordination to improve access to health care.

Human resources
Integrate disability education into undergraduate and continuing education for all healthcare professionals. Train community workers so that they can play a role in preventive health care services. Provide evidence-based guidelines for assessment and treatment.

WHO response

In order to improve access to health services for people with disabilities, promote strategies to ensure that people with disabilities are knowledgeable about their own health conditions and that healthcare personnel support and protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities.

Resources
1. Access To Medical Care for Individuals With Mobility Disabilities, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights
2. Disability and Health, World Health Organization

World Autism Awareness Day A Look at Nutrition and Autism

Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that manifests itself usually during the first three years of life. The rate of autism in all regions of the world is high, and it has a tremendous impact on children, their families, communities, and societies.

The Center for Disease Control reported the number of U.S. children with autism has surged to one in 68; this is a 30 percent increase since the agency estimated just two years ago that one child in 88 suffered from the disorder.

World Autism Awareness Day

We are dealing with a national emergency that is in need of a national strategy. At 1 in 68, we now have over 1 million children directly affected by autism.  

Throughout its history, the United Nations family has promoted the rights and well-being of the disabled, including children with developmental disabilities. In 2008, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities entered into force, reaffirming the fundamental principle of universal human rights for all.

The United Nations General Assembly unanimously declared April 2nd as World Autism Awareness Day to highlight the need to help improve the lives of children and adults who suffer from the disorder so they can lead full and meaningful lives. The United Nations officials highlighted the contributions to humanity by people with autism, noting that shunning them is a “violation of human rights” and a “waste of human potential.”

Nutrition and Autism

For decades nutrition and diet therapies have been used to treat people with autism, yet no single protocol has emerged. The development of individualized nutritional assessment and a plan of care is crucial in meeting the needs of people with autism.

Research has shown nutritional deficiencies can impair learning, growth, and development in all children. Children with autism have nutrition problems and gastrointestinal issues more often than other children. These problems can present developmental challenges.

Judy Converse, MPH, RD, LD, is a registered dietitian and the founder of Nutrition Care for Children, LLC (NCPA). She specializes in autism diets, special diets, biomedical interventions for autism, and nutrition-focused strategies for babies and kids that help them learn, grow, and thrive.

Judy provides nutrition services for children ages 0-21, and works with non-profits, federal programs, and nutrition companies to provide education, training, and support on how nutrition and diets work for children with special needs.

The goal of NCPA is to assess nutritional status and develop a plan of care to "restore adequate and appropriate sources for calories, proteins, fats, and carbohydrates and correct essential mineral deficits. This can accommodate users of a variety of special diets."

For families affected by autism, gluten is one of the first items to be evaluated. Gluten sensitivity can have devastating effects on learning, growth, and behavior. Many studies have shown improvement in these factors when a gluten-free diet is followed.

To learn more about the work of Judy Converse, MPH, RD, LD follow her online at:
Facebook. Nutrition Care for Children

National Autism Awareness Month

The Autism Society, the nation’s leading grassroots autism organization, exists to improve the lives of all affected by autism. They do this by increasing public awareness about the day-to-day issues faced by people on the spectrum, advocating for appropriate services for individuals across the lifespan, and providing the latest information regarding treatment, education, research, and advocacy.

Founded in 1965 by Dr. Bernard Rimland, Dr. Ruth Sullivan, and many other parents of children with autism. The Autism Society is the leading source of reliable information about autism. The Autism Society's Advisory Panel is comprised solely of individuals with autism. They help Autism Society staff create programs and services that will advocate for the rights of all people with autism to live fulfilling, interdependent lives.

Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month The Challenges of Feeding

Meet My Son, Jake

Written by Tracy S. Williams, BS, Nutrition Educator. 

World Cerebral Palsy Day

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a broad term used to describe a group of chronic “palsies”- disorders that impair movement due to damage of the developing brain. CP usually develops by age 2 or 3 and is a non-progressive brain disorder, meaning the brain damage does not continue to worsen throughout life. However, the symptoms damage often changes over time- sometimes getting better and sometimes getting worse. CP is one of the most common causes of childhood disability.

About 10,000 infants are diagnosed with CP and up to 1,500 preschoolers in the U.S. are recognized as having CP each year. The United Cerebral Palsy Association estimates that more than 764,000 Americans have CP. Congenital cerebral palsy caused by a brain injury during a baby’s development in the womb is responsible in about 70% of the children who have the condition. It is present at birth, although it may not be detected for months. An additional 20% have congenital cerebral palsy due to a brain injury during the birthing process. In most cases, the cause of congenital cerebral palsy is unknown, however, some possible causes are:

An infection during pregnancy may damage a fetus’s developing nervous system. They include rubella (German measles), cytomegalovirus (a herpes-type virus), and toxoplasmosis (an infection caused by a parasite that can be carried in cat feces or inadequately cooked meat). Other undetected infections in pregnant women are being recognized as an important cause of developmental brain damage in the fetus.

· Severe jaundice in the infant. Jaundice is caused by excessive bilirubin in the blood. Normally, bilirubin is filtered out by the liver. Often, newborns’ livers need a few days to start doing this effectively, so it’s not uncommon for infants to have jaundice for a few days after birth. In most cases, light therapy clears up jaundice and there are no lasting health effects. In rare cases, severe cases of jaundice can damage brain cells.

· Rh incompatibility between mother and infant can be a cause of cerebral palsy. In this blood condition, the mother’s body produces antibodies that destroy the fetus’s blood cells. This leads to jaundice may cause brain damage in the newborn.

· The physical or metabolic trauma of birth can be a cause of cerebral palsy. This can produce brain damage in a fetus whose health has been threatened during development. Severe oxygen deprivation to the brain or significant trauma to the head during labor and delivery can be the cause of cerebral palsy.

Feeding Skills

Feeding skills have been cited as a contributing factor that can affect the life expectancy of those with CP. Managing these can positively affect the life span of an individual with cerebral palsy. When people with cerebral palsy have feeding and digestive challenges, a nutrition care program can be beneficial. Skilled registered dietitian nutritionists work with physicians to adjust diet, food intake and nutrition supplements to enhance overall health. Effective dietary therapy can be devised to meet the individual’s unique needs taking into account digestive challenges and the ability to properly chew, swallow, and self-feed.

Nutrition practitioners can adjust the textures and consistency of food by pureeing, chopping, and grinding foods for a smoother eating experience. Foods can be softened with broth, gravy, milk, or juices. Liquids can be thickened to improve swallowing. Self-feeding is a skill that significantly enhances the quality of life for someone with a disability, although caregivers, family or friends may still be needed. Speech therapists can teach patients, their friends, or caregivers about adaptive feeding tools that can accommodate different levels of ability. Appropriate techniques can include space between feedings, to allow for natural swallowing, or feeding smaller portions throughout the day. In the most severe cases, some people with cerebral palsy rely on a feeding tube for partial or total nutrition intake. It is important to adjust to allow sufficient time between bites and drinks for natural swallowing. Some meals should be scheduled around medication times to avoid stomach upset, curb appetites and address feelings of being tired.

If a person with cerebral palsy has trouble with asphyxiation, reflux, or pneumonia, he or she should avoid foods, such as nuts, seeds, and hard or stringy foods. Diets can be changed to provide more calories, better balance, compensate for deficiencies and enhance digestion. Vitamin, minerals, and food supplements may help with malabsorption or who tire when eating. High fiber choices can curb constipation while prune and apricot juices may provide natural laxative qualities. Some people with cerebral palsy need to control drooling and aspiration, in addition, use long-term anti-seizure medications can contribute to an increased risk of tooth decay, cavities, gum disease, and bacterial infections. Dietitians may advise substituting added sugars and carbonated drinks with fresh fruits and vegetables. Dentists will encourage proper dental hygiene like regular brushing, drinking fluorinated water and regular checkups

Many people fight stereotypes and those with disabilities are no exception. Barriers individuals with disabilities face begin with people’s attitudes that are often rooted in misinformation and misunderstandings of what it’s like to live with a disability. One misconception is that all people living with disabilities are brave and courageous, but people with disabilities just need to adapt to a currently different lifestyle. Sometimes wheelchairs are used as typical mobility devices rather than for people who are only ill or sickly. In past decades, segregating people with disabilities in separate schools and institutions reinforced the perception that people with disabilities could only interact with others who have disabilities. Any person who does not have a disability can offer assistance, but most people with disabilities prefer to take responsibility for their own care when physically possible both in the community, within all parts of society. It is okay for curious children to ask questions about disability. Discouraging curious children from asking questions teaches children that having a difference or disability is wrong or bad. Many people with a disability will not mind answering a child’s question. People with disabilities go to school, get married, have families, do laundry, grocery shop, laugh, cry, pay taxes, get angry, have prejudices, plan and dream about their future like everyone else. It is important to encourage participation from people with disabilities by providing accessible meetings and event sites. It is important for advocates to speak up when negative words or phrases are used for people with a variety of disabilities.

Cerebral palsy can affect someone who has it in a variety of ways. Some people with cerebral palsy can be impacted by having limited verbal ability, limited cognitive ability, all four limbs affected or just their legs impacted. Some people use one cane or crutch; some people use a walker or two crutches. Some people use a manual wheelchair or motorized wheelchair. Some people may have some nutritional issues due to some difficulty feeding themselves or having digestive issues. You may have met one classmate, colleague or friend with cerebral palsy, but that does not mean even everyone is impacted in the same way by the same diagnosis. All people with disabilities deserve the same level of respect and it is important to help those with disabilities advocate against social misconceptions.

Resources
1.  CP NOW nonprofit & CP Daily Living

2. United Cerebral Palsy