Like every year, March 25th is observed nationwide as National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day. Starting in 2006, the Cerebral Palsy Advocacy Group has pushed for decisive changes in the social structures of health care, education, and the workforce market. The primary goal is that all who have this condition are given equal opportunities to thrive and blossom as anyone.

Cerebral palsy is a group of neurological disorders that affects a patient’s ability to move, keep balance, or posture. In fact, cerebral palsy (CP) is caused by abnormal brain development or damage that impedes a person from controlling their muscles.

As of today, there are no known risk factors for cerebral palsy. However, almost 90% of cases are congenital, which means that the atypical brain development or damage occurred before or during birth. In the rest of the cases, the cause is usually associated with a head injury or an infection, such as meningitis.

While it is common to have older patients with cerebral palsy, this condition is mainly detected soon after birth. Therefore, if a baby does not sit by eight months, has weak arms and legs, or presents muscle spasms, it may mean symptoms of spastic cerebral palsy, the most common type of CP.

At Ascend Hospice Care, we first advocate for the full inclusion of people with cerebral palsy in every aspect of our community. As healthcare providers, we are eager to open up these conversations to spread cerebral palsy awareness, enhance research opportunities, and improve our patients and their family’s quality of life.
So please, feel free to call us with any concerns or questions.