Category Archives: Cerebral Palsy

SPARC India is on a mission to provide education, healthcare and other basic opportunities to physically-disabled people. Born in 1965 with cerebral palsy, Amitabh Mehrotra encountered the deprived opportunities and discrimination that the physically disabled face in our society. His sister, Nidhi, recalls the obstacles he had to brave to get admission in a school, even though he was an intelligent child. Since he faced difficulty in writing, his sisters spent hours copying notes for him. Games periods meant sitting out and feeling isolated from his classmates. Dr Mehrotra, however, had more resolve and optimism than could be beaten out of him. With the support of his family, especially younger sisters, Nidhi and Kanika, he dreamt of making life better for other differently-abled people. Bhaiya and our mother would often talk about this. She would tell him that his situation should not bring him down, but should strengthen him to help others like him. Our mother was the inspiration, says Nidhi. In November 1996, he founded School for Potential Advancement and Restoration of Confidence, otherwise known as SPARC India. The organisation received its first grant from ActionAid, and began work in Khajra, a minority-populated region near the old, walled city … Continue reading →

Evan Kirksey, 18, a Willard High School senior recites his original oratory about disability discrimination on Tuesday, April 25, 2017. Evan Kirksey, 18, a Willard High School senior with cerebral palsy is taking his personal message about disability discrimination to the national stage. Kirksey will perform his original oratory this weekend at the Tournament of Champions in Lexington, Kentucky and then to the national speech and debate competition in Birmingham, Alabama this summer. (Photo: Nathan Papes/News-Leader)Buy Photo A Willard High School senior with cerebral palsy is taking his personal message about disability discrimination to the national stage. Evan Kirksey, 18, will perform his original oratory this weekend at the Tournament of Champions in Lexington, Kentucky and then to the national speech and debate competition in Birmingham, Alabama this summer. He has already performed it at the state competition last week and about 11 other tournaments in the surrounding area. Last Thursday, Kirksey performed his oratory for the Willard Schools Board of Education Meeting. Superintendent Dr. Kent Medlin said he felt inspired by Evans story. Evan has an outstanding message for young and old alike. His quality of message can only be paralleled by his strength of character and drive to … Continue reading →

In this three-part series, The CJN is profiling mothers in the community who are thriving despite facing difficult challenges. These womenprovide inspiration, hope and support as they raise children with special needs. Imagine the realization that your three precious babies have each been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, not knowing what the future will look like except that everything will be multiplied by three. Meet Dana Florence. She is the mother of triplets Taylor, Brody and Cole, now nine years old, who were born more than three months premature and diagnosed with cerebral palsy by the age of two. Before becoming a mother, Florence was an elementary school teacher, but she soon became an advocate for her children and for all others living with neurological disorders in Canada and around the world. Several years ago, Florence founded Three to Be, a registered charity that supports children with neurological disorders. Since its inception, Three to Be has raised some $3 million, supporting innovative stem cell research, funding a robotic device to help children learn how to walk, educational therapies, and PAL, an online support system for parents and families. The triplets are bright Grade 3 students at a school for children with … Continue reading →

1st annual Madoc walk for cerebral palsy http://www.insidebelleville.com/ We are still welcoming walkers/rollers that want to gather pledges with the chance to win a new barbecue. She told the Central Hastings News families with children with cerebral palsy are expected to be there to support the event, which is open to ... Read more: 1st annual Madoc walk for cerebral palsy - http://www.insidebelleville.com/ … Continue reading →

CBS New York Surgical Procedure Can Reduce Pain, Improve Mobility For Children With Cerebral Palsy CBS New York NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) There is no cure for cerebral palsy, but there are treatments that can reduce pain and movement difficulties for children. As CBS2's Dr. Max Gomez reported Friday, a delicate surgical procedure is making a big difference for ... Link: Surgical Procedure Can Reduce Pain, Improve Mobility For Children With Cerebral Palsy - CBS New York … Continue reading →

Palm Beach Post (blog) Wellington Rotary Club to post Outrun Cerebral Palsy 5K Palm Beach Post (blog) More than 500 people are expected to participate in the Wellington Rotary Club's Outrun Cerebral Palsy Wellington 5K road race Sunday. All of the proceeds will go to United Cerebral Palsy of South Florida and the local charities of The Rotary Club of ... Read the original post: Wellington Rotary Club to post Outrun Cerebral Palsy 5K - Palm Beach Post (blog) … Continue reading →

Greek Week at the University of Miami is committed to raising money and awareness for United Cerebral Palsy. University of Miami sorority and fraternity members teamed up for the annual Greek Week to help raise more than $50,000 for the United Cerebral Palsy Center of South Florida (UCP). The annual fundraising week brought together over 25 Greek chapters at UM for a fun-filled week of activities, giving the Greek community a chance to bond while also raising money and awareness for UCP. The dedication and passion the community shows during this week is a testament to our character as Greeks, said Vikesh Patel, Student Government president and brother of Alpha Sigma Phi. This is our week, as Greeks, to show how philanthropy and fun can unite to make a difference to a truly outstanding organization. Patel, along with junior Jelly Vanderwoude, were the Greek Week co-chairs and worked closely with Senior Associate Dean of Students, Steven Priepke, to put the events together. While this is a way for many chapters to meet their fellow Greek community members, it is also about giving back to the South Florida community. As advisors to the students we are committed to students education; education … Continue reading →

A 5-year-old girl from Ohio has taken her first steps after battling cerebral palsy her entire life. Read: Tot With Spina Bifida Defies All Odds by Crawling, Despite Doctors' Belief She Never Would Instead of learning to crawl and walk, Bhoomi Manjunatha has relied on wheelchairs since she was born. She was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and spasticity, which causes her muscles to be stiff and tight, as well as difficult to control. But after a miracle surgery performed in January at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, and months of physical rehabilitation, little Bhoomi is taking her first steps. 6 PHOTOS Girl with cerebral palsy has life-changing surgery to walk on her own See Gallery HIDE CAPTION SHOW CAPTION "It took a lot of effort for her to get where she is today," her mom Sushma Manjunatha said, according to the hospital's press release. Bhoomi was chosen to receive a cutting-edge spinal surgery, selective dorsal rhizotomy, in which surgeons cut out nerve roots in the spine that cause muscles to tense up. "The surgery went well, but my part is easy," said Dr. Jeffrey Leonard, the hospital's chief of neurosurgery. "It is Bhoomi who has months of hard work and … Continue reading →

Bhoomi Manjunatha, 5, walks with crutches three months after having surgery (Photo courtesy: Nationwide Children's Hospital) COLUMBUS, Ohio (WKEF/WRGT) - At just 5-years-old, Bhoomi Manjunatha has been through a lot. She was born with cerebral palsy and spasticity, which is a muscle control disorder that does allow her to control her muscles. It's a condition that affects more than 12 million people around the world, 80 percent of whom have cerebral palsy. Thanks to a spinal surgery performed at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Bhoomi doesn't have to rely so much these days on her walker and wheelchair. Bhoomi had the surgery in January, since then she's been working hard to be walking more and it's paying off. The surgery went well, but my part is easy," said Dr. Jeffrey R. Leonard, MD, who performed the surgery. "It is Bhoomi who has months of hard work and therapy ahead of her to strengthen her muscles to take advantage of her newfound mobility. Four months after the surgery, clinical teams say Bhoomi's walking is getting better, she also says she's in less pain. WATCH || Bhoomi's story Read more here: Five-year-old with cerebral palsy making strides thanks to surgery in Ohio … Continue reading →

Whats it like to have a child with cerebral palsy? Just ask Maurie Drambel of Buckhead or Lizette Dunay of Brookhaven. Drambel and her husband Ed have three children: Will, 15, and twins John and Katie, 13. John has the congenital disorder of movement, muscle tone or posture on the Gross Motor Classification Systems highest level, 5. John needs help 24/7, said Drambel, who with Dunay co-founded Cure CP, an Atlanta-based nonprofit devoted to finding a cure for cerebral palsy. He cannot do anything independently. He cannot hold a pencil, feed himself or hold a drink. He relies solely on everybody else. So he needs a one-one-one caregiver at home and at school. Having a child like John is wonderful and amazing and also exhausting. Were traveling to five states to see outside specialists. So having a child like that who cant get all the services he needs in Atlanta, which is a huge mecca for medical care, is tough. We have to fly across the country to Dallas, Houston, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and the University of Florida in Gainesville. Weve had to seek out and find specialists everywhere. Dunay and her husband Dave have two children: Alex, who turns 15 … Continue reading →