Episode 14

Living with an Adult Child with Cerebral Palsy: A Conversation with Neil and Mary Harris

Published on: 2nd April, 2025

In this episode, we delve into cerebral palsy, a neurological condition that affects movement and muscle coordination. Tahnee is joined by Neil and his wife, Mary Harris, to discuss the causes, symptoms, and various treatment options, including physical therapy and surgery. Tune in to gain valuable insights into how cerebral palsy impacts individuals and their families, and why self-care is essential to prevent burnout. Discover how early intervention can significantly enhance outcomes and improve quality of life for children affected by the condition.

For Neil, self-care meant riding his motorbike. This passion led him to write HondaBoy, a deeply personal family story that connects two seemingly unrelated topics: the thrill of motorcycling and the survivor’s guilt stemming from escaping a devastating family illness.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/HondaBoy-faced-existential-crisis-bike-ebook/dp/B0DMP9NCZF

https://www.cerebralpalsyguidance.com/cerebral-palsy/

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cerebral-palsy/symptoms/

https://shop.disabilityrightsuk.org/products/disability-rights-handbook-2025-2026

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About the Podcast

The SEND Sofa
One day last year after another overwhelming morning trying to get my distressed SEND son into school, I came home, slumped on the sofa and sobbed. I was at my wits’ end. I didn’t think I could do it a second longer. It made me think of all the other struggling SEND parents out there, possibly on their sofas, crying too. If I felt overwhelmed, so did they. If I was struggling, perhaps I wasn’t alone. The responsibility and pressure of raising a SEND child can sometimes be too much. How could I bring us all together? I wiped my tears, got out my notepad and pen and wrote the first words that came into my head: ‘The SEND Sofa.’ Holy Shiz. It appeared I was about to start a podcast!

And here it is! My name is Tahnee Morgan and my world was rocked when my son, Max, was diagnosed with Kabuki Syndrome in 2017, a rare genetic disorder that affects just 1 in 32,000 births worldwide. In this podcast, I delve into the good, the bad and the ugly of SEND life. Everything and everyone is welcome here. The vibe is genuine, heartfelt and relaxed as I provide a much-needed safe and comfortable space for SEND families to be open and honest about their journey. I will be chatting with parents, medical professionals, therapists and practitioners to gain a better understanding of all things SEND, while having a giggle (or a good cry) along the way.

So, grab a cuppa (or a glass of wine!) and join me on the Send Sofa.

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Tahnee Morgan

Mum of three beautiful children, teacher, presenter, voiceover artist and of course SEND mum.