Facts about Cerebral Palsy
Did you know…..
Cerebral Palsy is a physical disability that affects movement and posture. It is an umbrella term that refers to a group of disorders affecting a person’s ability to move. It is a permanent life-long condition but generally does not worsen over time.
In New Zealand a child is born with Cerebral Palsy every other day.
Cerebral Palsy refers to a group of non-progressive disorders affecting movement, balance and posture.
Even if people have the same diagnosis, the Cerebral Palsy affects them differently.
Disabilities can include deafness, hard of hearing, intellectual disabilities and others.
Wheelchairs and scooters provide people with Cerebral Palsy greatly improved mobility. They offer numerous options to match the equipment to the person’s height, weight, posture, and support needs. This optimizes the use of the equipment while also providing maximum comfort.
They can communicate using gestures, symbol systems and speech generating devices.
Motor impairment is the partial or total loss of function of a body part, usually a limb or limbs.
This may result in muscle weakness, poor stamina, lack of muscle control, or total paralysis.
Motor impairment is often evident in neurological conditions such a cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, stroke and multiple sclerosis.
Those who do require help may use home or workplace modifications, or personal care assistance.
Spastic cerebral palsy (muscle tightness and stiffness)
Athetoid cerebral palsy (involuntary movement)
Ataxic cerebral palsy (coordinated movement)
Cerebral Palsy can also present as a mixture of these.
There is no cure for cerebral palsy. However, there are many treatments options that may help improve daily functioning.
Cerebral Palsy can cause a significant amount of wear and tear on the muscles, particularly over time.
……attend school and university, fulfilling careers, date, marry, own homes, start families and care for their children.
Each person has a variety of skills and talents – athletic, musical or creative, scientifically-minded, entrepreneurial, linguistically talented, or emotionally intelligent.
Though it can be present alongside an intellectual disability and can range from mild to severe.
Many people living with Cerebral Palsy have average or above-average intelligence — just as in those without Cerebral Palsy.
Cerebral Palsy is a group of neurological disorders and disabilities, not just one condition, and all can cause some degree of disability in movement, balance, and posture.
Cerebral Palsy is not contagious; it is not communicable.
Hemiplegia – the arm and leg on one side of the body
Diplegia – both arms or both legs
Triplegia – three limbs – this is rare
Quadriplegia – all limbs as well as the trunk and head
Some people with Cerebral Palsy are able to eat everything and anything. Some people need soft (moist and minced) or puréed foods. Other people need to be tube fed.
The other types are significantly rarer and less documented.
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