What is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month?
Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month was initiated in 2006 by the Cerebral Palsy Advocacy Group as an awareness campaign to help support individuals with cerebral palsy.
Throughout March, our mission is to help more people learn more about cerebral palsy and how it can affect a person's everyday life. We also want to take the opportunity to raise awareness of the vital work we do to provide specialist therapy and support to children and families across Wales living with cerebral palsy.
Did you know that cerebral palsy is the most common physical disability in children worldwide?
Together, we want to make as much noise as possible across Wales this March to raise awareness of cerebral palsy and the work we do to make a difference to children and families across Wales. We would like to say a huge thank you to Irwin Mitchell for sponsoring CPAM2024 and enabling us to raise even more awareness!
What is cerebral palsy?
Cerebral palsy is a lifelong disorder affecting movement and posture. It results from damage to the brain that occurs during pregnancy, around the time of birth, or within the first two years after birth.
Every child with cerebral palsy has their own unique strengths and challenges.
How many people are there living with cerebral palsy?
There are 17 million people worldwide living with cerebral palsy. Approximately 160,000 people living in the UK have cerebral palsy.
Here in Wales, approximately 6,000 people are living with cerebral palsy. There are 1,800 children in Wales with cerebral palsy, and it is estimated that every 5 days a baby will be born who will have the condition.
How does cerebral palsy affect everyday functions?
Cerebral palsy can affect a range of everyday functions, such as eating, dressing, writing, sitting, standing, walking and talking.
Some children may have difficulties in only one of these areas, whilst others will need support with them all.
Is there a cure for cerebral palsy?
There is no cure for cerebral palsy, however, the brain can adapt, and therapy can influence how the brain develops.
At Cerebral Palsy Cymru, we work with each family and child to enable them to reach their full potential.
Get involved with Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month this March
Together, we want to make as much noise as possible across Wales to raise awareness of cerebral palsy and the work we do to make a difference to children and families across Wales.
Whether it's 'Going Green for CP', taking part in our '70 Miles in March' fundraising challenge or simply downloading our CPAM2024 to share with your friends and families, we have lots of ways that you can get involved this March to help us raise awareness.
We would like to say a huge thank you to Irwin Mitchell for sponsoring CPAM 2024.
Go Green for CP!
Green is the official colour for cerebral palsy awareness. Find out more about how you can 'Go Green for CP' this March and help us celebrate Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month.
Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month resources
We have a number of resources available for free to help you get involved and raise awareness this March. Click the link below to download digital content, or email fundraising@cerebralpalsycymru.org to request hard copy materials.
Get your workplace involved
Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month is a great way to come together as a team for the 6,000+ individuals in Wales living with cerebral palsy today. There are lots of ways you can get your team involved this March. Click below to find out more about how your organisation can lead the way in raising awareness this March.
Get your school involved
There are around 1,800 children in Wales today living with cerebral palsy. If you have a child in your school who has cerebral palsy, or you want to encourage your child's school to learn more about the condition in a fun and age-appropriate way, we are here to help!
Share your story with us
Do you want to share your story with our community of families, supporters and fundraisers? Are you a family who has received therapy and support from us? Or perhaps you are an adult or young person living with cerebral palsy? We would love to work with you to share your story this March.
Help us make a difference
As a charity, we need to raise approximately £2M every year. On average, 80% of our income comes from donations, gifts in Wills, trusts, our charity shops, fundraising events and corporate donations. Please consider making a donation today in support of Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month and to help fund our vital work.
How we have helped in Wales
132
Family support appointments took place in 2022-2023
293
Children from across Wales have been treated during 2022-2023
1,054
The number of sessions of specialist therapy we delivered in 2022-2023
Noah's story
After our first therapy session, I left Cerebral Palsy Cymru’s children’s centre with something nobody had previously dared give me for my little boy. I left with hope.
- Leah, Noah's mum
Ben's story
We left that initial therapy session on an absolute high and haven’t looked back since!
- Alison, Ben's mum
Charlotte's blog
Hi, my name is Charlotte and I have just turned 15. I have recently taken part in Cerebral Palsy Cymru's 'Independent Living Skills Programme' and I would love to share my experience of the project with you.
- Independent Living Skills 2021
Cora's story
From that day we feel we have been part of the Cerebral Palsy Cymru family, and we have not looked back.
- Family story
Aoife's Story
Having virtual sessions opened up a new avenue of skill-building for Aoife
- Family story
Therapy and support for children and their families
Cerebral Palsy Cymru is a registered charity in England and Wales 1010183. A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales 02691690. Registered address: Cerebral Palsy Cymru, 1 The Courtyard, 73 Ty Glas Avenue, Llanishen, Cardiff, CF14 5DX.
