Exploring Possibilities

Imagine . . .

If you could help change the world, to make society a more inclusive world for people with disabilities. This October you have the opportunity to join others around the world to bring change to those living with disability, through World CP Day 02.10.13

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A global exchange of ideas to benefit the 17 million people around the world living with CP. In Australia it is estimated Every 18 hours a child is born with Cerebral Palsy or  CP. 

There are a number of identified cause than may lead to cerebral palsy but no known cure's for the five different types of C.P.  The term Cerebral Palsy, is actually a general term for a number of brain disorders. 

It is a physical disability  that primarily affects the skeletal system and  muscles control. However these symptoms are caused by damage to the developing brain. Put into its most simple terms C.P. is the result of brain damage caused in the womb,  birth or firsts months of life;  and it can mirror thy symptoms of acquired brain injury in adults. 

    

How that presents in an individual is dependent on where the damage to the brain occurs and the extent for cell function that is loss.  The above diagram illustrates some of the functions of the brain and how damage in that area may affect the individual. 

Cerebral Palsy may be characterized by the following. 

• tightness of the muscles and/or muscle spasms
• involuntarily movements    
• difficulties with motor skills, effecting the ability to walk, balance, move limbs, hand eye coordination and speech. 
• perception and sensory  difficulties 

Many people living with C.P have secondary disability related to their cerebral palsy. These are often confused by the physical disability itself.  Those with C.P. may experience hearing loss, low vision, epilepsy and intellectual ability, in the same way an acquired brain injury.  The common belief CP and intellectual disabilities go hand in hand is a myths.  The majority of people with  do not have an intellectual disability something the urgently needs correctly, especially in the medical profession. 

  

I sometimes tell people I have an acquired brain injury the happen at birth because the results are the same.  CP can affect one, two or all four limbs.

Living with CP brings many challenges including the barriers that myths create. Each year WORLD CP DAY seeks to address some of these. Through advocacy, invention, technology and the sharing of ideas . 

October is your opportunity to be involved in the sharing and development of these ideas. You can SHARE, READ, VOTE  OR OFFER TO INVENT AND DEVELOP THESE IDEAS by visiting  website.

Tomorrow I have a guess blogger who will share her story and will repost Marlene's story and u-tube clip to raise awareness, you can help raise awareness by sharing this posts with others. 

Debbie