A survey, completed by 69 parents whose children have cystic fibrosis and 97 parents of children with spina bifida, showed that opportunities for participation in sport and recreation activities were significantly greater for children with cystic fibrosis than for children with spina bifida. Parents from both groups felt that there was not enough variety available, that there was difficulty finding suitable activities which involved the whole family and that they had found barriers to their child participating in sport and recreation activities. The stresses of having a child with a significant disability and trying to balance the needs of these children with those of other non-affected family members was reflected by the finding that both groups of parents had double the rate of psychological health problems that would be expected in the population.