Category Archives: Cerebral Palsy

By Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter WEDNESDAY, July 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- A robotic training device helped improve the walking ability of children with cerebral palsy who suffer from a condition known as "crouch gait," a small study found. The device provided strength training for muscles that were too weak to support fully upright posture, explained senior researcher Sunil Agrawal. He is a professor of rehabilitation and regenerative medicine and mechanical engineering at the Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. "Children improved their posture, their walking speed, their balance, as well as the symmetry of their walking, through this approach," Agrawal said. Crouch gait is an abnormality caused by a type of cerebral palsy called spastic diplegia. In spastic diplegia, stiff muscles in both legs hamper the normal give-and-take of walking, preventing a normal stride. Human movement relies on two sets of muscles: flexor muscles that pull, and extensor muscles that push. For example, bending your knee requires flexor muscles, while straightening your leg back out requires extensor muscles. Children with crouch gait are always flexed, Agrawal said, with their hips, knees and ankles unable to move back and forth because the flexor muscles of those joints are … Continue reading →

A STUDENT with cerebral palsy, who conquered a Munro last year for charity, is getting ready to do it all over again. James Fontana will lace up his walking boots at the beginning of September as he attempts to reach the top of Ben Lawers, near Pitlochry. The 19-year-old described reaching the top of of Carn An Tuirc last year as the most difficult thing Ive ever done. Now he is set to do it again in a bid to raise a four-figure sum for a worthwhile cause. James, of East Saltoun, is no stranger to taking on charity fundraisers. Two years ago, he took on a swimathon for Marie Curie and swam 1,500 metres. Then, last year, he climbed a munro and also completed the Moonwalk half marathon. On the Munro challenge, James said: At the start I thought this is fine but when you get to the top and it is all rocky that was really difficult. I was trying to keep my footing and it was definitely a lot harder than the Moonwalk. That takes place in Edinburgh and the terrain is not too difficult. Im quite good at swimming so that was not too difficult the … Continue reading →

The number of children with cerebral palsy (CP) in England and Wales is estimated to increase 7.5 percent by 2020, a new study shows. Researchers say these predictions may have a significant impact on health and social services planning. The study, Predicting the prevalence of cerebral palsy by severity level in children aged 3 to 15 years across England and Wales by 2020, was published in the journal Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology. The aim of this study is to estimate the number of children who were living with CP in England and Wales in 2013 by severity and to extrapolate this figure to 2020 to provide evidence for health and social care planning, researchers wrote. To do so, the team analyzed data from CP children ages 3 andolder included in the North of England Collaborative Cerebral Palsy Survey from 1991 to 2000 to estimate the prevalence of this disease in both England and Wales. They also assessed the survival of patients within a period of 15 years according to disease severity and lifestyle. Researchersthen estimated the number of kids with cerebral palsy ages 3-15 with different disease severity living in both countries in 2013 and 2019 using actual and … Continue reading →

KILLEEN Andy Diluzio was at Extraco Bank in Temple in July 2015 when the United Way of Central Texas unveiled the SOAR program. SOAR Savings Opportunities, Assets, Results collaboration promotes self sufficiency through incentivized savings and financial literacy. SOAR accounts can be used for the purchase of a home, to pay for post secondary education or jobs skill training. Diluzio began saving for a home in 2012 and was working with Fort Hood Area Habitat for Humanity completing all of its requirements of those wanting to become a home owner. Diluzio, 52, has cerebral palsy and is using his wheelchair more now because when he walks or is on his feet for very long he becomes tired. Growing up, Diluzio didnt get off easy because of his disability. When his family relocated to Killeen, his stepfather bought the four boys lawnmowers. He told us, If you want money, go out and earn it, Diluzio said. I made more money than the rest of them. They see me walking up, they couldnt turn me away. Diluzio considers himself lucky. He was able to ride a motorcycle for about 10 years and drove a standard. Hes remained independent. This house means freedom, … Continue reading →

Actress Becky Andrews has abseiled Gloucestershires tallest building and sky dived despite having cerebral palsy. And the remarkable 35-year-old, often seen with her assistant Labrador Gino, performed last night to a sell-out crowd as part of a 150-strong choir at Cheltenhams Everyman Theatre. Becky, from Hatherley, was hospitalised several times between January and March this year after falling over in her home while moving onto the settee. But friends have raised more than 13,500 to afford an electric multi-terrain wheelchair which allows her to stand up and sing comfortably on stage. Surrounded by her peers, she captured the imagination of an attentive audience with her performance last night (July 11). Becky is a fundraiser for Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) and has abseiled down the Eagle Tower and sky dived from a plane in order to raise money. She is also an actress at The Everyman. Years of managing cerebral palsy with a standard wheelchair have strained Beckys body to the point where she has no strength on one side. Without the help of the wheelchair and Gino, who opens doors and removes her clothing, she would struggle with daily activities. Speaking before the show, Becky, who joined the … Continue reading →

Please enable Javascript to watch this video MEMPHIS, Tenn. Tawanda Cason is a teacher on a mission. "I'm trying to help Mrs. Robinson, she's teaching kindergarten here in the summer program. She has a son with cerebral palsy, CP, and she has to spend a lot of money on equipment," she said. The piece of equipment needed in this case is a $2,500 stroller. But Tawanda got the ball rolling before we ever showed up. "So I reached out to my family and friends and collected $1,300. So $1,300 toward that $2,500," she said. "Well, we're going to help you out today," WREG's Tim Simpson said, handing her $300 from News Channel 3 and an additional $300 from an anonymous doctor in Collierville. That's a total of $600 to put toward that chair. "Thank you so much, she's going to be so excited." It's time to roll, from the library to principal's office. But our recipient, Denise Robinson, isn't in trouble. She's about to receive an unexpected blessing. "We started working together last week, and you told me so much about EJ and how you were working this summer to buy him a stroller that cost $2,500. Your story just … Continue reading →

Josh Blue has cerebral palsy, but when he does stand-up shows, he figures everyone in the room has a disability. We all have our own things we fear or that hold us back from whatever is normal. It can be anything from cerebral palsy to spina bifida to being afraid of butterflies whatever your hang-up is, says Blue, a St. Paul native who won TVs Last Comic Standing in 2006 and returns to his hometown for a show Sunday. Really, the more normal you are, the more disabled or awkward I find you. The Joke Joint Comedy Club gig is also a homecoming for the 1997 Como Park Senior High School graduate, who now lives in Denver. That means his kids he has a son, 9, and a daughter, 7 get to hang out with their grandma and grandpa (Jacqueline and Walter Blue), doing family things. But it can get awkward when Blues show gets, well, blue. If you drop too many f-bombs in front of your mom, its weird, yeah, but she gets used to it. I got over worrying about how theyll feel about it, says Blue, 38, who says friends in the audience can be a bigger … Continue reading →

Cerebral palsy doesnt mean you cant have fun together (Picture: Getty) When a sibling has cerebral palsy life is very different, not just for them, but for the whole family. Cerebral Palsy is a permanent muscle disorder that appears in early childhood, and it is caused by abnormal development or damage to parts of the brain that control movement, balance and posture. It varies person to person, and like with all conditions there are good days as well as bad ones. But if your sibling has this condition it certainly hasnt gotten in the way of how close you are, how much you make one another laugh and it doesnt mean you dont bicker over things like what to watch on TV. This condition means that your sibling is physically restricted, and often relies on a wheelchair, walker, crutches or help from family and friends to get around. And at times it leaves them in pain and discomfort which is hard to watch. But youve definitely got a few secret tricks to help them through this, like putting on their favourite movie and ordering their best loved takeaway. The adaptations are not just about accepting that your sibling will have … Continue reading →

I have met plenty of people along the way who have cerebral palsy, mostly from my being a columnist and speaker. They email me or tell me their concerns and experiences with the disability and often request my advice. I have noticed an increasing number of people who are frustrated by the limited information available about cerebral palsy,especially for those transitioning into adulthood. I hear you and understand the problems, and I hope that I can make getting older a little easier. When the doctor tells you that cerebral palsy is a non-progressive disability, but you find out later that complications happen as you age, you can become frustrated. Yes, cerebral palsy occurs when the brain is injured and its a one-time injury. However, other issues develop due to constant moving, stiffness, and adapting muscles throughout the years. No one discusses this when you are young. I am in my early 40s, so Im not a complete expert on aging and cerebral palsy. From my experience,cerebral palsy does stay pretty much the same. However, how your body physically reacts to cerebral palsy will change. I know that when I was younger I could bounce back from anything with ease. I … Continue reading →

A COURAGEOUS teenager with cerebral palsy walked a mile around the grounds of Blenheim Palace to raise cash for a new minibus for his school. Leo Burbidge, 13, successfully complete the challenge called Leos Mega Mile at the Woodstock World Heritage Site as more than 150 friends, family members and supporters cheered him on. A total of 1,650 was raised on the day, a figure matched by Blenheim Palace to make the final amount raised 3,300. To date, Leo, who lives with his family in Woodstock, has raised more than 10,000 towards the costs of the new minibus for The Marlborough School in the town, which will be in the region of 40,000. His mum Rachel said: We could not have asked for a better day and it will stay in our memories and the memory of many others forever. The Ormerod Base Unit at The Marlborough School caters for 25 young people with all sorts of disabilities and by allowing Leo to do his challenge in the beautiful grounds of Blenheim the community has come together and helped every one of them. Leos challenge on July 1 was fully supported by staff at the palace after the youngster sent … Continue reading →