What is Cerebral Palsy? 

Cerebral palsy is an umbrella-like term used to describe a group of chronic disorders impairing control of movement that appear in the first few years of life and generally do not worsen over time. The term cerebral refers to the brain's two halves, or hemispheres, and palsy describes any disorder that impairs control of body movement. Thus, these disorders are not caused by problems in the muscles or nerves. Instead, faulty development of damage to motor areas in the brain disrupts the brain's ability to adequately control movement and posture. 
Symptoms vary widely depending upon the severity and location of brain damage, and may include the inability to control body movements, speech and language difficulties, mental retardation and seizures. Cerebral palsy is not hereditary, contagious, progressive, or a primary cause of death. There is no cure for cerebral palsy.
 

What causes Cerebral palsy?

Cerebral palsy is caused by defects in the brain or spinal cord or damage to the brain before or during birth due to : 

• 1. Mother's illness 
• 2. Lack of oxygen 
• 3. Newborn jaundice (kernicterus) 
• 4. Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome 
• 5. RH incompatibility 
• 6. Premature birth early in life due to: 

  • Child abuse 
  • Child's illness 
  • Lead poisoning 
  • Accidental injury 

Signs and Symptoms

• Symptoms vary widely among children with Cerebral Palsy - depending on severity, a number of the symptoms below will be present: 

• Slow development(walking, talking). Early sucking difficulty with breast or bottle. 
• In early infancy, child may appear floppy. 
• Purposeless body movements. 
• Poor co-ordination and balance. 
• Deafness. 
• Cross-eyes or strabismus. 
• Seizures. 
• Varying degrees of mental retardation. 

Why is it important to know about cerebral palsy? 

The Cerebral Palsy Associations estimate that more than 500,000 Americans have cerebral palsy. 

10,000 infants are born with the condition each year; another 1,500 acquire it in the first few years of life annually.
 

• By knowing what cerebral palsy is and what causes it. 
• To prevent cerebral palsy by promoting good health practices, especially in pregnant women. 
• Accept people with disabilities as employees and in schools, social activities, and in your neighborhood. 
• Work to eliminate architectural and transportational barriers. 
• Volunteer your time and talents. 
• Support the New York State Elks Association Major Project fund raising activities. 
• The New York State Elks Association is making a difference in the lives of so many, because of our constant vigilance in raising money for the Home Service Program of the Cerebral Palsy Associations of New York State. 

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