Many children Dreams Come True support live with Cerebral Palsy. We hope this blog will help you understand a little more about the condition and how Dreams Come True can support children and young people living with cerebral palsy. 

Cerebral palsy is the name for a group of lifelong conditions that affect movement and co-ordination. 

What is the cause of cerebral palsy?

Cerebral palsy can happen if a baby's brain does not develop normally while they're in the womb, or is damaged during or soon after birth. Causes can include meningitis or a serious head injury but in many cases, the exact cause is not clear. 

Is there a cure for cerebral palsy?

Currently, there is no cure for cerebral palsy. However, there are treatments to help people with the condition be as active and independent as possible. Including:

• Physiotherapy
• Speech therapy
• Medicine 
• Occupational therapy

Sources of support

There are many organisations and charities which support people with cerebral palsy. For example:

• Cerebralpalsy.org.uk provides support by offering impartial information on a broad range of subjects that people affected by CP should find useful. Visit their website for tips, guides and advice available to aid those who are impacted by the condition. 
  
• Scope is a disability equality charity in England and Wales. They provide practical information and emotional support when it's most needed campaign to create a fairer society.
  
  
• To find out more about the condition you can also visit the NHS website. 

How we help: G's story

Living with Cerebral Palsy and global developmental delay has presented many challenges, but this hasn’t stopped G* being a happy and bright person. Due to his condition, he is reliant on adults for so much of his care, and is unable to do the things another young person might enjoy. G spends his time in a wheelchair, and has a love of watching musical and dance videos, watching cartoons and playing games.

G’s dream was to have his very own iPad that he can use all by himself, and a wheelchair mount to enable him to use it when out and about.  

How does an iPad help G?

Having an iPad will help G access assistive learning technologies, tools and apps that he uses at school, but has been unable to use at home. Having these aids on his very own iPad will hugely enhance his communication skills and his wider learning at home and in the community.  

But it’s not all work and no play for G! The iPad will bring lots of fun as he gets to pick his own activities through the day. His family said:

“he is much happier and more relaxed when he has something to keep him interested and engaged. Having an iPad all by himself and for his personal use, will encourage more independent living and capability long-term. I can't really describe in words about how excited G was with his New iPad. His facial expression in the pictures is worth more than a thousand words!”

If you’d like to help to make more dreams like G's come true, please make any donation you can afford to.

Donate now  

Source of information: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cerebral-palsy/ 

*name obscured for privacy reasons