How did youth with cerebral palsy perceive participation in everyday life after participating in a periodical intensive rehabilitation program based on adapted physical activity in groups? A qualitative interview study

PurposeExplore how youths with CP experience participation in everyday life, their experience of having participated in a periodical intensive rehabilitation programme and their expectations for the future.Materials & methodsA qualitative design that included semi-structured interviews with 14 youths with CP (mean age 17 years).ResultsThe qualitative content analysis exposed six themes, (1) Everyday life - to get the pieces of your life to fit together, (2) Participation means inclusion and belonging - the meaning of life, (3) Individual and environmental factors influencing participation, (4) Experience of physical and social activities away from home together with like-minded people, (5) To be continued locally, and (6) You do not know the future, anything can happen - visions for the future.ConclusionsParticipation in everyday life increases the meaning of life but takes energy. Periodical intensive rehabilitation programme enabled youths to try new activities, make friends and increase self-insight in their own strengths and limitations.