Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a term used to describe a group of disorders affecting body movement and muscle co-ordination. The medical definition of cerebral palsy is a "non-progressive" but not unchanging disorder of movement and/or posture, due to an insult to or anomaly of the developing brain. Development of the brain starts in early pregnancy and continues until about age three. Damage to the brain during this time may result in cerebral palsy.

This damage interferes with messages from the brain to the body, and from the body to the brain. The effects of cerebral palsy vary widely from individual to individual. At its mildest, cerebral palsy may result in a slight awkwardness of movement or hand control. At its most severe, CP may result in virtually no muscle control, profoundly affecting movement and speech. Depending on which areas of the brain have been damaged, one or more of the following may occur:

(1) muscle tightness or spasms
(2) involuntary movement
(3) difficulty with "gross motor skills" such as walking or running
(4) difficulty with "fine motor skills" such as writing or doing up buttons
(5) difficulty in perception and sensation

Premature birth, lack of obstetric care, and rampant malaria combine to produce a much higher incidence of children with cerebral palsy in developing countries.

Mothers must spend many hours caring for these special children – feeding them, cleaning them, moving them. These are mothers and families already struggling to survive poverty and hunger. They need help to help their child.

You can make a difference.

Physiotherapy, home support and education can ease the burden of cerebral palsy. Simple appliances, like special chairs and walking aids, can make a world of difference for families in desperate need.

Help today!