Today is National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day 2022!
 
What are you doing to celebrate?
 
This week, a group of parent and adult advocates, clinicians and researchers celebrated CP Awareness Day by travelling to Washington DC, to give a briefing to Congress about CP!
 
The trip was organized by the Cerebral Palsy Foundation (which is not part of UCP), and was supported by Senator Maggie Hassan (New Hampshire) and Congressman Steve Cohen (Tennessee).
 
Way to go, advocates!

And, speaking of advocates, did you know that National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day in the United States was created by two moms? They felt it was vital to increase awareness of cerebral palsy, and to improve quality of care and research across the lifespan.                 

Today is March 25th, and you know what that means!

It’s World Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day—an event that is celebrated around the world.
In some places, entire buildings are lit up with green to celebrate. Even Niagara Falls has “gone green” to celebrate Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day!

In honor of the day, you can:

• Share your cerebral palsy related photos or story with the world. (Use this link.)
• Join a disability-related advocacy group.
• Use the #GoGreen4CP hashtag on social media.
• Wear the color green.

As you may know, March is National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month.
 
But here are some facts about CP that you might not know!
 

1. CP is the most common lifelong physical disability.
2. CP affects more than 1 million Americans.
3. 1 in 345 children are affected by CP.
4. 17 million people worldwide have CP.
5. More than 10,000 babies in the U.S. are diagnosed with cerebral palsy each year.

Hi! I’m UCP Oregon’s Family Support Director, Katherine Ball.
 
Did you know that my department supports approximately 845 families?
 
During an average month, I directly work with 100 families. I am available to them via email, phone, social media, and in person as needed.
 
I often speak with parents who are dealing with a new diagnosis of cerebral palsy. I send them a “Welcome Packet” with self-care tips, books and resources. I remain in contact with parents, providing resources, information, and a shoulder to lean on as needed.
 
I also:

• Coordinate several events a month, including a “Gimme A Break” Family Support Group and various other trainings and events.
• Write 4-6 grants a year to acquire funds for the Family Support Department. 
• Administer the Zetosch Fund through the Oregon Community Foundation. (The Fund assists low-income, school-aged children in Oregon who experience disabilities to acquire adaptive equipment that will help their education.)
• Attend outside meetings and trainings to stay current on the world of Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD).
• Lead a Family Support Task Force Committee for the UCP Board.
• Manage a UCP Family Support Facebook page, sharing resources, trainings, articles, and information.
• Procure and share local event tickets (Blazers, zoo, etc.) for the families in my department.

March is a busy month! It’s (1) Women’s History Month. It’s also (2) National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. And it’s (3) National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month!

Since UCP Oregon’s roots are in cerebral palsy, we thought we’d start out by talking about National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month.

The goal of the month is to push for positive change in education programs, the healthcare system, and the employment world—to ensure that people who experience cerebral palsy have the opportunities they need and deserve.

UCP Oregon is busy doing advocacy on a local, state and national level. You can make a difference, too!