I am posting this picture today to acknowledge World Cerebral Palsy Day and to shine light on our local Cerebral Palsy Association of which I am the Patron.
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture. CP is the most common motor disability in childhood. CP is caused by abnormal brain development or damage to the developing brain that affects a person’s ability to control his or her muscles.
The symptoms of CP vary from person to person. A person with severe CP might need to use special equipment to be able to walk, or might not be able to walk at all and might need lifelong care. A person with mild CP, on the other hand, might walk a little awkwardly, but might not need any special help. CP does not get worse over time, though the exact symptoms can change over a person’s lifetime.
The Cerebral Palsy Association in Saint Lucia was formed in 2012 by Diane Leonce and Daria Robinson-Ernest. The Association has over 50 members and advocates for the rights of people living with cerebral palsy. Our goals include but are not limited to Inclusiveness for our members in schools and in the work environment so they can be contributing members of society.
The children and adults living with CP in St.Lucia need proper medical intervention to include therapeutic care so that this condition can be managed. Additionally, people living with CP here in St.Lucia need to be accommodated on public transportation and need mobility access to move around and to access important services and sectors.
When Daria and Diane first approached me in 2012 to become their Patron, I must admit that I first said no to them. It seemed to me that I was wearing too many hats already. But the more I read about Cerebral Palsy and the more I spoke to Daria and Diane, the more engaged I became with their cause.
And also, the more I learned about the many different scenarios that can lead to this life-long condition, the more I realized that perhaps, after all, I could assist and contribute to the Cerebral Palsy Association, especially in the areas of fundraising and the building of awareness, advocating for better inclusion in society and education of our children affected by Cerebral Palsy. We know that with early recognition of the condition, with the right therapy, and with early intervention there could be some level of normalcy reached for these children. And also, we have a responsibility to raise awareness regarding the many unfortunate circumstances during the pre-natal stages and at childbirth that could lead to a perfectly healthy child to be afflicted with Cerebral Palsy.
Our fundraising efforts for 2021 and 2022 are focused on adaptive equipment for the children, working alongside various stakeholders in Saint Lucia and the region to provide pediatric physical therapy and surgical interventions for children where appropriate. If you like to make a donation or find out more, simply DM me
World CP Day Cerebral Palsy Association of St. Lucia
#WorldCerebralPalsyDay #MillionsOfReasons
What is World Cerebral Palsy Day?
World Cerebral Palsy Day is a movement of people with Cerebral Palsy and their families, and the organisations that support them, in more than 75 countries. The vision is to ensure that children and adults with Cerebral Palsy (CP) have the same rights, access and opportunities as anyone else in our society. It is only together, that we can make that happen.
Millions Of Reasons
October 6 marks World Cerebral Palsy Day. We ask people around the world to come together to celebrate and support those living with CP, embrace diversity and to help create a more accessible future for everyone.
As cerebral palsy affects more than 17 million people worldwide, there are millions of reasons to make your voice heard on October 6. Join the movement this World Cerebral Palsy day to help create awareness and action around cerebral palsy.
Because every person living with cerebral palsy is a reason to strive for change.