Cerebral Palsy Foundation

The American education system has been around since the 17th century, and it feels like we’re still living in that time period. Our education system has made only minute changes over time. It is so outdated that it would not only benefit but needs to modernize within our vastly different world. As our world slowly [...]

I was so excited when we moved to a new state in August. It was a new opportunity for my daughter. She had worked so hard to learn new skills and she was ready to shine. When we sat down for the first IEP meeting the Special Education director barked at me, “We don’t do [...]

Seventeen million. That’s the number of men, women, and children living with cerebral palsy, the most commonly diagnosed group of congenital disorders. Yet, not many people know very much about the diagnosis. So, what is cerebral palsy? This medical diagnosis, usually causing a degree of disability, is a group of disorders that affect movement and [...]

by Jill Rosamilia National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day began in 2006 by a nonprofit organization called Reaching for the Stars (RFTS), an education and advocacy group run by parent volunteers. They realized there was no national awareness day for Cerebral Palsy (CP) like there was for autism, Down syndrome, and practically every other disorder and [...]

Every hour another child is born with cerebral palsy (CP). CP is a brain injury that occurs before, during or shortly after birth however it is not typically diagnosed until after age 2. The Cerebral Palsy Foundation’s Early Detection Initiative is bringing the age of diagnosis down to 6-12 months and in some cases even [...]

Growing up with cerebral palsy, people often assume you are weak and fragile. I try not to let my cerebral palsy get the best of me, but I’m human and sometimes I would get angry because my body doesn’t always cooperate with me. I hardly ever let anyone see the side of me that breaks [...]

Ever had one of those awkward moments when someone did or said something with good intentions, but it didn’t come out right? Or when someone just couldn’t quite understand what it’s like to be in your shoes? For people with disabilities, these misunderstandings can be a daily occurrence. They can also be challenging to talk [...]

Richard Ellenson is CEO of the Cerebral Palsy Foundation. Tonight, the second season of “Speechless” comes to an end. “Speechless” is a show that has sent thunderclaps of recognition and empowerment throughout the entire disability community. It leaves us in its season finale with the DiMeo family sharing a warm, if slightly odd moment together: [...]

Every hour on this planet, another child is born with cerebral palsy. Every hour, another individual enters our world with challenges and potential, awaiting a torrent of future successes, sadnesses, obstacles, and joys that will unspool over the years. I tell my son Thomas, a glorious 20-year-old full of ambition, cleverness, and snark, a boy [...]

October 6 is World Cerebral Palsy Day. If you’re like most people with a passing interest in Today’s Very Important Day, you may check out a few facts and learn things like 17 million people have cerebral palsy and 1 in 500 babies is diagnosed with CP. You may watch a viral Facebook video. Maybe you’ll [...]