Category Archives: Cerebral Palsy

A TEAM of family and friends climbed Britains highest mountain to celebrate what would have been a disabled youngsters 13th birthday. Angie Shears, 30, and 15 family members and friends organised the group climb up Ben Nevis to raise 4,000 for disabled childrens charity Special Kids in the UK in memory of her brother Jack. The charity bid came despite callous burglars taking a charity tin containing donations from a family home on Tudor Estate in Clacton three weeks ago. The gruelling 4,411ft climb took place on Sunday to mark the 13th birthday of Angies youngest brother Jack, who had quad cerebral palsy. Jack, who lived with his family in Clacton, was born with the condition which affected his entire body and left him unable to speak or walk. He passed away three years ago, aged just nine, following a series of health complications. Angie said: We have so far raised 3,625 towards out target of 4,000 for Special Kids in the UK, which supported Jack. We thought the climb would be easy, but its awful terrain and was a real struggle there was snow from about half way up. But with the memory of Jack and the support of … Continue reading →

A model with cerebral palsy pushed her body to the limit when she completed a five-mile sponsored walk on Saturday, April 29. Asa Marshal, 28, from Templewood Lane, Farnham Common, took part in this years annual Slough Together Walk, organised by Slough Rotary, as a way of kick-starting the revival of her charity work following a long hiatus. Asa started the charity ASA Disability That Knows No Limits when she was 12 with the help of parents, providing a support network for disabled youngsters. The promotion and glamour model says she first decided to start ASA because she was bullied for her disability during her time at primary school. She put her group on hold when studying for her A-levels and going to university and re-started it in 2014. The charity organised fundraising fashion shows, outings, seminars and more. Its work was again put on hold in 2015 when Asa underwent major brain surgery. Sadly the former Bucks New University students operation was not as successful as expected and seriously set her back physically. She sees the weekends five-mile push through Slough and Eton as a comeback for her charity and raised about 800 from her feat. Asa said she … Continue reading →

After being stranded for more than a month at a hospital, a 45-year-old man with cerebral palsy went to a nursing home Saturday and could, per a judges order,eventually return to the less-restrictive group home where he had lived for more than two decades. At an emergency hearing Friday night, a Loudoun County judge denied a request from Alex Scotts family to immediately send him back his Northern Virginia group home but also ordered that the group home take steps in the next two weeks toward accepting Scott back into its care. The decision was seen as a partial victory for Scotts family in a standoff over a feeding tube that has captured the attention of disability rights advocates and an online community that has followed Scotts plight. While we are disappointed Alex is not going home today, we are encouraged that Loudoun County has been ordered by the court to take specific measures to make sure Alex goes home as soon as possible, Scotts sister Samantha Tunador said late Friday. On Saturday, Scott, who cannot speak, had spent 38 days in the hospital while his family and caregivers at Kentwell Group Home argued over what is best for him. … Continue reading →

The North Carolina teenager surprised with a dream sports trip by his classmates finally made it to home plate. Christian Heavner, a high school senior living with cerebral palsy, was given a big send-off in his hometown on Tuesday before embarking on a trip to watch the New York Yankees play on their home field. The lucky teens time in the Big Apple went beyond watching the swing of the bat or hearing the sounds of a roaring crowd at Wednesdays game which pitted the Bronx Bombers against the Toronto Blue Jays. A student group known as the Junior Dream team raised almost $10,000 to pay for the experience. Basking in the sun of an afternoon made perfect for Americas pastime, Heavner met the Yankees Brett Gardner and Didi Gregorius, and even scored a few autographs. His smile spoke volumes and it was broadcast on the big screen for everyone in the stadium to see. It means the world to me. Ive wanted to do this since I was a little boy, Heavner told ABC-owned station WABC-TV. Adding to an already wonderful day at the ballpark, Heavners team of choice beat the Blue Jays 8-6. Read more: Teen with cerebral … Continue reading →

Tom with big sister Molly (left), whos eight, and twin sister Iris. TOM BARNES is one of around 2,000 babies born in the UK each year who are diagnosed with cerebral palsy. This lifelong condition affecting muscle control and movement is caused by damage to the brain before or during birth. Tom and his twin sister Iris were born two months early after their mum Maria developed the serious pregnancy complication pre-eclampsia. Maria and husband Terry were concerned about Tom from his earliest days because he seemed very stiff, had great difficulty feeding and screamed constantly. He was diagnosed with cerebral palsy shortly before his first birthday. Doctors say that Toms cerebral palsy was caused by a type of brain injury called periventricular leukomalacia. This most often occurs when parts of the brain are starved of blood and oxygen. The exact cause of this injury is not known. Maria and Terry, from West Sussex, hoped that Tom would not be too severely affected, but an MRI brain scan carried out at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton around a month later confirmed that Tom had quadriplegic cerebral palsy. Maria (41) explains: Both sides of his brain are affected, governing … Continue reading →

17 Let friends in your social network know what you are reading about Johnny Agar and his father have become a source of inspiration on the ironman circuit. Try Another Audio CAPTCHA Image CAPTCHA Help CancelSend A link has been sent to your friend's email address. A link has been posted to your Facebook feed. Johnny Agar and his father Jeff compete on the ironman circuit as a team, with Jeff pushing and pulling Johnny through the triathlon. Humankind Johnny Agar and his dad Jeff run in an Ironman competition in Florida.(Photo: courtesy Music that Moves) HAINES CITY, FL - Johnny Agar and his father, Jeff have become a source of inspiration on the ironman circuit. Not only does the duo compete in ironman competitions, but they do it in a unique way. Jeff pushes and pulls his son Johnny the entire way. Johnny Agar was born with cerebral palsy, but he's never shied away from overcoming obstacles. "Everybody hates uphill, but if they can remember that there's a downhill at the end of every uphill, it makes life so much easier," he said. The father-son team finished the Florida ironman race in 7 hours, 40 minutes, but they have … Continue reading →

Video: Beyond The X with Jackson Ryan Cerebral palsy hasn't taken Houston junior out of the sport his grandfather became famous in. Jackson Ryan of Second Baptist (Houston) is no ordinary high school baseball player. The junior's grandfather is Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan. His father, Reid Ryan, is president of the Houston Astros. Jackson is a reliever for the TAPPS 4A defending state champion Eagles, coached by six-time MLB All-Star Lance Berkman and assisted by five-time World Series champion pitcher Andy Pettitte. When the 6-foot, 145-pounder takes the mound he carries a rich legacy and big expectations. But it hasn't been all baseball celebrity and smooth sailing for Jackson. Life dealt him a bit of a curveball at birth. Photo by Leslie Johnson Pitcher Jackson Ryan "We learned Jackson had cerebral palsy on the day he was born, which affected the muscle tone and posture on the right side of his body," Reid said. "The doctor told us he may never walk or talk and gave us a list of potential problems. It was a tough time. Your mind goes to the worst possibilities. We didn't know what to expect." The resilient Jackson has refused to let the … Continue reading →

Zach Renner tried out for the Northern (Ownings, Md.) baseball team each of his four years of high school. He was cut every time. Renner suffers from a minor form of cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder that affects body movement and muscle coordination. This year, however, he agreed to become the team manager at the behest of his friends on the team. The Washington Post tells Renners incredible story, which included a storybook moment last Friday night. As the Post tells it, after Northern jumped out to a 10-0 lead on Patuxent (Lusby, Md.) by the fourth inning on senior night, head coach Bobby Gibbons approached Renner. He told Renner to put down the scorebook and to grab a helmet and a bat. It was time for him to pinch-hit. There were a lot of emotions going through my head, Renner told the Post. I was saying, Dont strike out. Ive never seen a kids face light up like his did when I told him to grab the bat and go hit, Gibbons said. It was a great, great baseball moment. Renner let the first two pitches go for balls, then swung and missed on the third pitch. According to … Continue reading →

Staring at his reflection in the bathroom mirror at Lord Calvert Bowling Center, Zach Renner made a vow to himself. He would not let this latest disappointment define him. Renner suffers from a minor form of cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder that primarily affects body movement and muscle coordination. He never let his condition hinder his athletic dreams, though it took its toll on his legs, giving him the appearance of being pigeon toed and forcing him to often randomly trip and fall while walking. He tried out for the Northern baseball team each of his first three years of high school and was cut every time, but he always held out hope for the coming season. Senior year would be different, he thought. Perhaps this time Coach Bobby Gibbons would give him a chance. Perhaps this time Gibbons would take note of his opposite-field power and his daredevil defense and offer him a spot on the team. My one dream was to be part of the Northern baseball team, or any school sport, Renner said. I never made one. It was during a Saturday night bowling excursion in Huntingtown with family and friends that Renners heart sunk one more … Continue reading →

A young Auckland woman had the opportunity of a lifetime to get out of her comfort zone and ended up ripping through the Auckland Harbour on a jetski with famous tradies, Logan Dodds andJesse James Cassrels. Writer Grace Stratton, 18, contacted Jesse after he released a videoskydiving from a hot air balloon, wanting to interview him for her website. "I began my blog from a hospital bed, so the opportunities I've gotten mean more than anything to me," Ms Stratton said. Adventurer Jesse offered to take Grace, who has cerebral palsy, out on a jetski trip on the Auckland Harbour on Anzac Day. "I think we both just wanted to do it for us, I wanted to know Jesse's story he wanted to know mine," Grace said. "I was a bit scared that Jesse was doing it because he 'pitied' me but that thought was quickly shut down. Jesse has the biggest heart of anyone I know, and he is honest, non-judgmental, wonderful. "Jetskiing was an adventure but the most adventurous and truly meaningful thing to come out of that day for me was the friendships and connection that I have developed with Logan and Jesse." "It was never intended … Continue reading →