Cerebral Palsy (CP) is an umbrella term used to describe a group of movement disorders affecting the body. It is caused by damage to specific areas of the brain usually shortly before or after birth. Simply stated, “cerebral” refers to the brain, and “palsy” refers to muscle weakness and poor control. It is pretty generic term but there are many types of CP, a large spectrum of severity and many causes. According to research by United Cerebral Palsy, 764,000 people in the US will manifest one or more of the symptoms of CP and each year, more that 10,000 babies born in the US will develop CP.
What causes CP?
Sometime, we just don't know what caused someone to develop CP and sometimes (like in our case) it was very obvious. Below are some risk factors for CP.
Risk Factors
• premature birth
• low birth weight• inability of the placenta to provide the developing fetus with oxygen and nutrients
• bacterial infection of the mother, fetus or infant that directly or indirectly attack the infants nervous system
• lack of growth factors during intra-uterine life
• prolonged loss of oxygen during the birthing process
• RH blood type incompatibility between mother and infant
• severe jaundice shortly after birth
• infection of the mother with German measles or other viral diseases in early pregnancy
Types of CP
Paul has only been diagnosed with Infantile Cerebral Palsy at this time although I speak to enough therapist and other medical professionals to know to expect an Athetiod CP diagnosis when the time comes.
CP and Severity
Below is The Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) which classifies the levels of severity of CP. I think they are pretty self explanatory but if you would like more details, click here!
In terms of severity, people often ask me where Paul falls. Since, I am a picture person, I thought the best way to show it was to use this scale.
Many people living with CP are completely functioning and you would never even know they have it. The scales goes from independent to completely dependent.
Now, the answer to where Pauly falls on this scale ... Right now, he is a GMFCS Level V. Yes, level 5, the most severe. Cue the twist of the knife through my heart.
GMFCS Level V – severe head and trunk control limitations. Requires extensive use of assisted technology and physical assistance; and transported in a manual wheelchair, unless self-mobility can be achieved by learning to operate a powered wheelchair.
Yes, you can move up on the scales and remain optimistic that he will.
**One VERY important fact that I want to point out is the many people with CP have normal or above average intelligence so you should never assume that just because someone is physically disabled that they don't understand. **
And, finally, since I have just briefly explained all of the things the CP does ... now for a reminder of what it CAN'T Do.....
