Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month
March is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month. It gives us the opportunity to raise awareness about Cerebral Palsy and the services that provide vital support for people living with the condition.
Cerebral Palsy is the name for a group of conditions that affect a child’s mobility, balance and posture.
‘It’s caused by a problem with the brain that develops before, during or soon after birth (Cerebral palsy – NHS)’. Around 1 in 400 children who are born in the UK are affected by Cerebral Palsy and around 17 million people are diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy worldwide.
The symptoms of Cerebral Palsy vary widely and no one child is the same, but symptoms can include:-
- ‘Delays in reaching development milestones – for example, not sitting by 8 months or not walking by 18 months
- Seeming too stiff or too floppy
- Weak arms or legs
- Fidgety, jerky or clumsy movements
- Random, uncontrolled movements
- Walking on tiptoes
- A range of other problems – such as swallowing problems, speaking problems, vision problems and learning disabilities (Cerebral palsy – NHS)’
These symptoms may not be obvious as soon as a baby is born but, once a diagnosis is made, it is really important that a child gets the necessary therapy and support in order to reach their full potential. Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, educational and psychological input are all important.
Unfortunately, it can be a struggle to obtain the appropriate support for your child through the NHS. There are a number of charities that are able to provide advice and support, but for Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month, we are fundraising for Stick ‘n’ Step.
Stick ‘n’ Step (Stick ‘n’ Step | Supporting children with cerebral palsy) are a wonderful local charity based in Wallasey and Runcorn. They offer free weekly or twice-weekly group conductive education sessions to children and young people from across the Northwest.
The Bond Turner Clinical Negligence team will be organising a lunchtime quiz and doing a sponsored walk along some of the Wirral Costal Walk – a total of 12.7 km – dressed, of course, in green!
Carla Duprey confirmed, ‘Several of our young clients are affected by neurological conditions and struggle to obtain developmental support. Stick and Step are a wonderful local charity who provide crucial early intervention for babies and children. They help to ensure that children can reach their full potential and have fun doing it too! We couldn’t think of a better charity to support during CP awareness month.’