It doesn't not define me

Cerebral Palsy speech for Civility Week

 Cerebral Palsy is a group of disorders that can involve brain and nervous system functions, such as movement, learning, hearing, seeing, and thinking. Cerebral Palsy is caused by injuries or abnormalities of the brain. Most of these problems occur as the baby grows in the womb, but they can happen at any time during the first 2 years of life, while the baby's brain is still developing. In some people with cerebral palsy, parts of the brain are injured due to low levels of oxygen (hypoxia) in the area. It is not known why this occurs. Premature infants have a slightly higher risk of developing Cerebral Palsy. Cerebral palsy may also occur during early infancy as a result of several conditions.  (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). /In the mid-1800s, Dr. William John Little pioneered the study of cerebral palsy using his own childhood disability as an inspiration. http://cerebralpalsy.org/about-cerebral-palsy/history-and-origin-of-cerebral-palsy/. 

There are several different types of Cerebral Palsy, including spastic, Dyskinetic, Ataxic, Hypotonic, and mixed. 

Spastic Cerebral Palsy
Spastic cerebral palsy is by far the most common and is present in approximately 75 percent of all children with cerebral palsy. Spasticity is described as a velocity-dependent resistance to passive movement. This means that the faster you pull against a muscle, the harder it resists or pulls back. Spastic cerebral palsy is divided into diplegic, hemiplegic and quadriplegic/tetraplegic types. Diplegia shows an involvement of legs more than the arms and is the most common type of cerebral palsy. Many times the arms do not seem involved but exhibit at least small deficits in function. Hemiplegia is involvement of the arm and leg on the same side. Classically the arm is more involved but sometimes they seem equally involved. Quadriplegia or tetraplegia is involvement of both arms and both legs, generally worse in the legs than in the arms. In spastic cerebral palsy there are generally signs of upper motor-neuron involvement with increased muscle reflexes, up going toes and persistence of primitive reflexes such as the Moro response.

Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy
A much less frequent type of cerebral palsy is the dyskinetic type. These children frequently are hypotonic initially and then develop discrete involuntary movements during the first several years of life. Dyskinetic movements include athetoid (writhing), dystonic (increased tone) or chorea form (jerky) movements. Historically before the early 1960s, 50 percent of children with athetoid cerebral palsy had hyperbilirubinemia (increased bilirubin, a breakdown product of red blood cells); due to Rh blood factor incompatibility. Since improvements in treatment of this including early exchange transfusions, this has become much less of a problem. With dystonia, abnormal movements have their origin in the basal ganglia, particularly the globus pallidus. These abnormal movements disappear in sleep and are worsened by stress. The dysarthria (difficult with speaking) with this can be dramatic.

Other Types of Cerebral Palsy
Ataxic (uncoordinated) and hypotonic (low muscle tone) cerebral palsy are rarer types.  Hypotonic cerebral palsy more frequently becomes ataxic, spastic or dystonic cerebral palsy with age. All of these may frequently show spasticity as well. Different combinations of the above types can be found and are called mixed cerebral palsy. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/Symptoms of cerebral palsy can be very different between people with this group of disorders. Symptoms may: Be very mild or very severe, only involve one side of the body or both sides be more pronounced in either the arms or legs, or involve both the arms and legs

Symptoms are usually seen before a child is 2 years old, and sometimes begin as early as 3 months. Parents may notice that their child is delayed in reaching, and in developmental stages such as sitting, rolling, crawling, or walking. Symptoms of spastic cerebral palsy, the most common type, include: Muscles that are very tight and do not stretch. They may tighten up even more over time Abnormal walk (gait): arms tucked in toward the sides, knees crossed or touching, legs make "scissors" movements, walk on the toes Joints are tight and do not open up all the way (called joint contracture).Muscle weakness or loss of movement in a group of muscles (paralysis) The symptoms may affect one arm or leg, one side of the body, both legs, and both arms and legs. The following symptoms may occur in other types of cerebral palsy abnormal movements (twisting, jerking, or writhing) of the hands, feet, arms, or legs while awake, which gets worse during periods of stress

Treatment for cerebral palsy There is no cure for cerebral palsy. The goal of treatment is to help the person be as independent as possible. Treatment requires a team approach, including: Primary care doctor Dentist (dental check-ups are recommended around every 6 months) Social worker Nurses Occupational, physical, and speech therapists. Other specialists, of cerebral palsy include a neurologist, rehabilitation physician, pulmonologist, and gastroenterologist. Treatment is based on the person's symptoms and the need to prevent complications. Self and home cares for people cerebral palsy include Getting enough food and nutrition. Keeping the home safe and accessible by wheel chair is recommended for people with cerebral palsy.  It is also helpful for people with cerebral palsy to perform the exercises recommended by the health care providers And Practice proper bowel care (stool softeners, fluids, fiber, laxatives, and regular bowel habits) Protecting the joints from injury. Putting the child in regular schools is recommended, unless physical disabilities or mental development makes this impossible. Special education or schooling may help. The following may help with communication and learning: Glasses Hearing aids Muscle and bone braces walking aids Wheelchairs Physical therapy, occupational therapy, orthopedic help, or other treatments may also be needed to help with daily activities and care. The goal of treatment is to help the person be as independent as possible. Treatment requires a team approach, including: Primary care doctor Dentist (dental check-ups are recommended around every 6 months) Social worker Nurses Occupational, physical, and speech therapists. Other specialists, of cerebral palsy include a neurologist, rehabilitation physician, pulmonologist, and gastroenterologist. Treatment is based on the person's symptoms and the need to prevent complications. Self and home cares for people cerebral palsy include Getting enough food and nutrition. Keeping the home safe and accessible by wheel chair is recommended for people with cerebral palsy.  It is also helpful for people with cerebral palsy to perform the exercises recommended by the health care providers And Practice proper bowel care (stool softeners, fluids, fiber, laxatives, and regular bowel habits) Protecting the joints from injury. Putting the child in regular schools is recommended, unless physical disabilities or mental development makes this impossible. Special education or schooling may help. The following may help with communication and learning: Glasses Hearing aids Muscle and bone braces walking aids Wheelchairs Physical therapy, occupational therapy, orthopedic help, or other treatments may also be needed to help with daily activities. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/

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