World Cerebral Palsy Day is October 6th! Let’s learn a little about these disorders and how we can identify and better understand the disorder.
Cerebral palsy is also referred to simply as CP, is a group of disorders that can interfere with a person’s ability to control their movements. This also includes a person’s ability to maintain a proper posture, their balance, and may include spastic movements. Awareness of cerebral palsy as a disorder was improved in 2010 when a comedian named Zach Anner went viral. He uploaded a video submission on YouTube for Oprah’s Search For The Next TV Star. He unfortunately lost the contest, much to many peoples’ dismay.
CP can cause mild discoordination or it can cause immobility altogether. It is a large spectrum in terms of how it might affect someone.
Palsy actually means paralysis or paresis of muscles. This is often accompanied by muscle weakness and sometimes the loss of feeling. Cerebral palsy is a motor disability due to the brain.
CP is classified as a neurological disorder that is caused by abnormal development or through injury. This is often a result of a genetic mutation, fetal or pediatric stroke, premature birth, traumatic birth, asphyxia, maternal health issues, maternal infection during pregnancy, in-vitro fertilization, severe jaundice, small birth weight, or being a twin.
