is a group of disabling conditions characterized by nerve and muscle dysfunction. Cerebral palsy is not a disease; rather it is caused by damage to the part of the brain that controls and coordinates muscular action. Symptoms vary widely depending upon the severity and location of brain damage, and may include the inability to control body movements, speech and language difficulties, feeding problems, learning disabilities, mental retardation, and seizures. Cerebral palsy is not hereditary, contagious, progressive, or a primary cause of death.
Nearly 1 million Americans manifest some degree of cerebral palsy and the U.S. Census in 2000 reported that one in five Americans is living with a long-term condition or other disability which means that the demand for our services continues to grow.
Our mission is, "Life without limits for people with all types of disabilities." Huge gaps in services exist for people with disabilities - in access to healthcare, transportation, employment, education and affordable housing. UCP seeks to fill some of these gaps with programs focused on providing the highest impact in the most effective way.
Over 65% of those we serve live under the poverty line. Many of the middle class families served have extremely low disposable income due to significant transportation , caregiver and medical costs arising from their disability - making services provided free of charge even more important.
While there is no "cure" for cerebral palsy; a lot can be done to help individuals with cerebral palsy become self-reliant, contributing members of our community. Some of this assistance comes from:
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Mechanical Aids
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Surgery
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Counseling
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Medication
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Physical Therapy
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Speech Therapy
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Occupational Therapy
Information on other types of disabilities.
Yes. Measures of prevention are increasingly possible today. Pregnant women are tested routinely for the Rh factor and, if Rh negative, they can be immunized within 72 hours after the birth (or after the pregnancy terminates) and thereby prevent adverse consequences of blood incompatibility in a subsequent pregnancy. If the woman has not been immunized, the consequences of blood incompatibility in the newborn can be prevented by exchange transfusion in the baby. If a newborn baby has jaundice, this can be treated with phototherapy (light therapy) in the hospital nursery. Immunization against measles for all women who have not had measles and are susceptible to becoming pregnant is an essential preventive measure. Other preventive programs are directed towards the prevention of prematurity; reducing exposure of pregnant women to virus and other infections; recognition and treatment of bacterial infection of the maternal reproductive and urinary tracts; avoiding unnecessary exposure to X-rays, drugs and medications; and the control of diabetes, anemia and nutritional deficiencies. Of great importance are optimal well being prior to conception, adequate prenatal care, and protecting infants from accidents or injury.
Yes. Active national programs of research are being vigorously pursued to prevent cerebral palsy and improve the quality of life for persons with cerebral palsy. The four organizations with major research programs are the United Cerebral Palsy Research and Educational Foundation in the private sector, and the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institute of Disability and Rehabilitation Research in the government sector. The research questions being addressed include:
- What are the factors that predispose the developing fetal brain to injury? Can these factors be eliminated or minimized?
- What are the causes of injury to the developing fetal brain? Can the developing fetal and newborn brain be protected? What are the causes of developmental delays and failure to thrive?
- Why are low birth weight in the full-term and the premature infant important risk factors for cerebral palsy?
- Can cerebral palsy be diagnosed before birth and better diagnosed shortly after birth?
- Which available treatments are most effective for specific disabilities of persons with cerebral palsy?
- Based on new knowledge now available in the medical, surgical, behavioral and bioengineering sciences, what improvements can be made in the quality of life of people with cerebral palsy?
- What are the effects of aging on a person with disabilities due to cerebral palsy?
- Can the damaged brain be "repaired"?
