What is cerebral palsy?
Cerebral palsy is a condition that affects a child’s developing brain, causing abnormal signals to the muscles. There are many causes of cerebral palsy. In the countries where CURE serves, childbirth complications which deprive a baby’s brain of oxygen are the most common cause. Other causes include premature birth and severe infection (e.g. cerebral malaria, encephalitis or meningitis). In some cases, cerebral palsy may be mild — causing a child to tip to one one side, for example. In severe cases, children face lifelong disabilities that interfere with their ability to support or feed themselves.
There is no cure for cerebral palsy, but a child’s quality of life can be improved with careful rehabilitation (including physiotherapy and splints) and surgery (to help straighten contracted joints, or to fix dislocated hips). Great efforts are made to work with the family to maximize each child’s independence and to support them throughout their childhood.
What issues do children with Cerebral Palsy face?
Limited Mobility
Depending on the severity, children may have difficulty dressing, eating, or walking independently.
Stigma
Children can experience discrimination because of an abnormal gait or problems with day-to-day activities, leading to poor self-confidence and lack of independence.
Isolation
When children are limited physically and excluded from community life, they lack opportunities for a hopeful, successful future.
How does surgery change a child’s life?
- Mobility can be improved with physiotherapy and surgery. This can involve a careful exercise regimen and an operation(s) to lengthen contracted muscles, straighten joints, and untwist the thigh or lower leg bones.
- Children with cerebral palsy can regain independence and hope through the combined care of doctors, nurses, and physiotherapists.
- Through careful treatment, children’s mobility can be improved, allowing some to return to school and giving them new opportunities in life.
