Living with Cerebral Palsy-Related Paralysis?

Posted on July 13, 2009 by David Austin

Nearly six million Americans are currently living with paralysis, and about 7% of those cases of paralysis are due to cerebral palsy. That’s approximately 412,000 people across the U.S., according to recent research by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. If you’re living with cerebral palsy, or taking care of someone who is, you don’t have to be just another statistic.
 

The Reeve Foundation, as part of its campaign to cure paralysis, wants you to “be counted” – to add your voice to the millions of others out there dealing with paralysis. As the saying goes, “there’s strength in numbers” so go to the Foundation’s website and put yourself on the map. You can even share it with your friends who can be counted to show their support.
 

 

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Cerebral Palsy Is a Leading Cause of Paralysis

Posted on April 21, 2009 by David Austin

Cerebral palsy is the fourth leading cause of paralysis in the United States, according to a new report by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. The report estimated that about 412,000 of the more than five million cases of paralysis in the U.S. are due to cerebral palsy.

What is cerebral palsy? Cerebral palsy is a movement disorder that can cause spasticity, paralysis or limpness in the arms and legs – sometimes the condition only affects one side or half of the body, and other times it affects all limbs.

Cerebral palsy is generally caused by brain damage and is diagnosed in thousands of infants and children each year. As with spinal cord injuries, there is no cure for cerebral palsy. However, extensive research efforts are being made to change this.

The top three causes of paralysis include stroke, spinal cord injury (which Christopher Reeve suffered) and multiple sclerosis. Additional causes include traumatic brain injury and birth defects.


 

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