Susan Cushman
UCP Oregon Family Support Director
Portland, Oregon
As the Family Support Director for UCP Oregon since March, 2006, my work is to support families raising children with cerebral palsy and other physical disabilities that mimic CP. We provide newly-diagnosed packets, hold monthly parent support groups, organize family outings, and much more...all with the goal of helping families connect with each other. I'm the parent of a 26 year old daughter with cerebral palsy (and a 26 year old stepson with Down syndrome).
I did a grief ritual when my daughter was almost 2 to let go of focusing only on her disability...and to be able to accept her completely as she is. I threw away all the developmental charts and was free to love her with wonder instead of fear. Doing our grief work frees us to live and love more fully.