March is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month March 14, 2019.
At The Mellino Law Firm LLC, we have helped families of children born with cerebral palsy (CP) recover tens of millions of dollars in birth injury lawsuits. Our Cleveland medical malpractice attorneys understand that cerebral palsy affects millions of people around the world, which is why we want to remind everyone that March is National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month and March 25 is National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day.
To honor this month, you can either wear green clothing or a green ribbon. The color green was chosen to represent vibrant lives, new growth, and striving for advancements in medicine and acceptance in society.
CP is a health condition caused by abnormal developments or damage to one or more areas of a person’s brain. This generally happens either during the development of the fetus; before, during, or shortly following birth; or when a child is an infant.
This condition affects a person’s movement, posture, and balance. Additionally, many individuals with CP also have other developmental disabilities such as autism, epilepsy, hearing issues, speech impediments, and blindness.
In the past, if someone had CP, he/she wouldn’t live past 40 years of age. Now, adults with cerebral palsy can live long and healthy lives due to the advancements of modern medicine and technology.
In fact, a person living with severe forms of CP can now live independently, contribute to the workforce, and make their own decisions. Professional personal care assistants can help these individuals get their lives back. However, we hope personal care waivers which pay attendants throughout the country will not fall victim to budget cuts, affecting the health of thousands of Americans.
Since 2005—thanks to GA Senator Johnny Isakson and PA Senator Robert Case—each National Cerebral Palsy Month has raised awareness how much the world cares about CP and how much the condition needs to be discussed to spur medical research and effective treatments.
The goals of National Cerebral Palsy Month include:
- Increase awareness of CP and the need for additional research funding for a cure, treatment, and prevention.
- Inform the public that CP is not a disease, but a motor disability commonly experienced by children.
- Motive change to the therapeutic model for CP since it hasn’t been changed in half a century.
- Give the CP community a voice
This month, we have the power—together as a community—to make a significant difference in the lives of people living with CP. We believe children and adults with CP deserve more in every way.
For more information about cerebral palsy and other birth injuries, contact us and schedule a free consultation today.
