Navigating The Treacherous Road Of Chronic Illness With Your Children

Traversing the tragic road of chronic illness is never an easy feat, especially when the victim is your child. However, nothing is more important than teaching a kid to resiliently aim upwards when life throws a curveball. 

But how do parents encourage their child when certain activities are not an option due to health issues? In the final episode of “Parenting,” Dr. Jordan B. Peterson sits down with parents Greer and Catherine to discuss their four-year-old’s chronic illness, as well as how to uplift him in creative activities. 

“Three weeks ago,” the father, Greer, said, “my wife and I learned that our four-year-old son was diagnosed with a rare neurological condition that is going to progress throughout his childhood and life to the point where he may lose the ability to use his feet, legs, hands, and arms.”

“We live on a cul-de-sac full of little boys,” the mother, Catherine, added. “He runs out and wants to play with them on the asphalt and, inevitably, he will bite the dust and faceplant on the asphalt. He wants to play with them and we want him to play with them.”

The parents went on to explain how their son is imaginative and creatively driven, as well as that he likes to play with older kids who will happily sit down and play games with him. 

Dr. Peterson informed the parents that their task is to help their son “find his way” in the non-physical activities he enjoys.

“You’ve already adapted to this,” Dr. Peterson said. “That’s worth knowing. The best predictor of future performance is past performance, and you already have a track record of that. You already know how to make the adaptations that are necessary for this particular child.” 

Watch “Resilience” on DailyWire+ to find out how Dr. Peterson advises the parents to help their child adapt.