World Cerebral Palsy Day: Wear Green On October 6th to Show Your Support!

Cerebral palsy is the most common physical disability in childhood. It is defined as a disorder of movement, muscle tone, or posture that is caused by damage that occurs to the immature, developing brain, most often before birth. Signs and symptoms appear during infancy or preschool years. More than 17 million people around the world have cerebral palsy. Statistics show us that one in 700 babies are diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Within that group with cerebral palsy, 75% of them have chronic pain. One in three people with cerebral palsy cannot walk and one in five people with cerebral palsy cannot talk. This number is expected to increase, and most people with cerebral palsy will survive into adulthood.

Adults with cerebral palsy frequently experience premature aging. They may experience declining function at different stages of their life, and there is a potential for decreased mobility, increase in deformities, osteoporosis, and pain issues.  Adults with cerebral palsy are more likely to lead sedentary lifestyles due to these impairment and activity limitations and are at greater risk of having four to five chronic health conditions compared to non-disabled adults. These chronic conditions can include diabetes, hypertension, stoke, asthma, emphysema, joint pain, and arthritis.  The rate of depression is four times higher in adults with disabilities like cerebral palsy. Appropriate interdisciplinary management throughout their lifetime has the potential to prevent these secondary impairments and improve their quality of life as well as their caregiver’s quality of life. This includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and fitness.

At Sheltering Arms, we have recognized the need for specialization of treatment for this growing population of adults with cerebral palsy. A program has been created to suit their unique needs with experienced therapists that specialize in this area. Services available include:

• Physical therapy to improve mobility, decrease pain, and manage equipment including custom wheelchairs
• Occupational therapy to improve activities of daily living and job skills assessment
• Speech therapy for communication deficits
• Fitness, Exercise & Wellness Programs led by exercise physiologists and a fitness center to promote improved health and wellness over the course of their lifetime

A virtual support group for adults with cerebral palsy and developmental disabilities led by Sheltering Arms physical therapists exists to connect members of this community in a virtual format.

To learn more about our therapy treatment options and support group for cerebral palsy, please call (804) 764-1000 or Send us a message.

Wednesday, October 6, 2021 is World Cerebral Palsy Day. To learn more about this movement, visit worldcpday.org. We encourage you to wear green on this day to help spread awareness and encourage inclusiveness of those with cerebral palsy.