What is the transition to adult care and adulthood?

My name is Jessica, I'm pursuing my masters in public health in health policy and management after graduating from St. Francis College in May 2025. As a young adult living with cerebral palsy I have created this website because I know firsthand how complex the transition to adulthood can be.

The transition to adult care usually begins around fourteen or fifteen, and most healthcare systems expect it to be completed by age twenty-one. During this time, young people with cerebral palsy shift from having coordinated pediatric teams to navigating adult healthcare, school, work, and daily responsibilities. It is a major life change that involves far more than switching care providers.

Often under addressed in the transition process are the realities of daily living, the increased demands of education and employment, the need to manage one’s own health, and the emotional impact of becoming more independent. Many young adults and families find themselves navigating these changes separately even though they are deeply connected.

I founded this website because I lived that transition myself. I learned that when transition is treated as a whole-person process rather than just a medical handoff, young people can build confidence and thrive. My pediatric and rehabilitation teams worked with me as partners in shaping goals, navigating challenges, and finding purpose. I believe that other young adults deserve that same sense of partnership.

Where formal guidance may be limited, I believe in the power of peer stories, practical tools, and shared experiences. They help build a foundation of confidence that supports young adults through the journey of becoming more independent.