Spread Awareness of Cerebral Palsy this March

March begins National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month, which was established in 2006 by a cerebral palsy advocacy group. The awareness campaign aims to support those living with the condition by educating the public about the condition.

Cerebral palsy is characterized as a form of abnormal brain development which severely impacts a person’s ability to control their movement, posture, and balance. 30-50% of people with cerebral palsy will also develop an intellectual disability. The condition can commonly result from a traumatic labor and delivery. In these situations, a baby’s brain has likely suffered damages resulting from a critical lack of oxygen and/or blood flow, which may be due to medical malpractice.

Children diagnosed with cerebral palsy often suffer from developmental delays, and may exhibit a wide variety of symptoms. Injuries can range from mild to severe, depending on the area of the brain which is damaged. Cerebral palsy is a permanent injury, and there is no cure. However, people with the condition may manage their symptoms with different therapies, including physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and recreational therapy.

Want to show your support?  You can:

• Donate to organizations dedicated to helping people with cerebral palsy
• Join an advocacy group for those with cerebral palsy to support them as well as learn about the condition
• Become an ally with your words and actions to help eliminate stereotypes
• Wear the color green (especially on March 25^th, which is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day!)
• Join the conversation by using hashtag #GoGreen4CP on social media