Understanding Cerebral Palsy

Awareness and support.

Text: Michaela Medveďová / Anna Pawlowicz Pics: Private / Cerebral Palsy Research

World Cerebral Palsy Day was celebrated on the 6th of October - a global movement that started in 2012. It brings together people living with CP, their families, and supporters. Over 17 million people live with CP worldwide, navigating the world with mobility and posture affected by CP in varying degrees.

CP is a complex condition which affects a number of areas of life. According to worldcpday.org, 1 in 4 children with cerebral palsy cannot talk, 1 in 4 cannot walk, and 1 in 4 suffer from epilepsy. CP is the most common motor disability in childhood, caused when damage occurs to the brain, either during pregnancy, birth or in a newborn’s brain. 110 to 130 children are born every year with cerebral palsy.

We spoke to Mogens Wiederholt, Director of CP Danmark, an organisation that works to improve the conditions and quality of life for people with CP and their relatives. CP Danmark's goal is to ensure that individuals living with this condition have the same opportunities for an active, rich, and independent life as anyone else.

What is CP Danmark focusing on?

Mogens shared with us that his organisation works towards this goal in several areas. One is influencing legislation to create equal opportunities for disabled people in Denmark. Another is addressing challenges in finding employment for individuals with CP and equalising their access to the labour market.

Additionally, an essential area of focus for CP Danmark is community building. In Mogens’ words: ‘Living with a disability is tough for both the disabled individual and their family. At CP Danmark, we create a space for those affected by CP to come and go as they are, a space where they can feel at home, a space where they can be themselves and where they don’t have to compete with the rest of the world.’

In Denmark, there are more than 10,000 individuals living with CP. Most of those individuals frequently face misconceptions related to their disability, and according to Mogens, one of the main misconceptions is the assumption that physical disability like CP always causes an intellectual impairment. Mogens says: ‘This particular assumption is the root cause of high levels of unemployment of individuals with CP, while in reality, they’re competent and willing to contribute to society and to be employed. The stigmatisation of disability needs to stop.’

How can CP Danmark help members of the organisation?

CP Danmark’s focus on reducing the stigma surrounding disability is also reflected in the practical support they offer to individuals and families affected by CP. The website of CP Danmark offers resources and guidance for people with CP in different stages of life as well as for their relatives. Members of CP Danmark can contact the organisation if they are in need of help with navigating the processes in place to support their daily lives. The organisation offers consultations with both psychologists and social workers to receive the right mobility aids and any equipment needed for independent living, as well as help with accessing daycare and education. This practical approach ensures that regardless of the age of the person living with CP, there is a team of specialists who can assist them with all aspects of life.

How can you become a member of CP Danmark?

Whether it’s through a referral from the hospital or direct contact with CP Danmark (you can contact them at +45 38 88 45 75 or cpdanmark@cpdanmark.dk if you need help with registration), in a genuinely inclusive manner, Mogens highlights that all families affected by CP are welcome to become members of CP Danmark, and that includes international families living in Denmark. CP Danmark offers four types of membership - single membership, household membership, and lifetime membership, and you can also become a support member to contribute to CP Danmark’s important work to improve the conditions and quality of life for people with cerebral palsy and their relatives.