What is Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral palsy is a disorder of movement that occurslimited movement that they must also have mental
before, during or shortly after birth usually due to adisability or be less intelligent. This is not the case and
lack of oxygen to the brain. Within the overallmany people who have very severe physical disability
category of cerebral palsy there are many differenthave either normal or superior intellects.
types, each with their own particular symptoms andCP is Caused by a Lack of Oxygen to the Brain
characteristics.Before, During or After Birth
Cerebral Palsy is a Disorder of MovementCP is caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain
Cerebral palsy is a disorder of movement; thisresulting in damage to different parts of the brain.
disorder may include tight muscles that result in stiff,This can be caused by abnormal development or
jerky movements such as spastic cerebral palsy ordiseases of the mother before birth, a cord tied
uncoordinated movements such as athetoid cerebralaround the neck or other problems during the birth
palsy. The severity will also vary from person toprocess, or near drowning, meningitis or other causes
person and could be very severe where the patientleading to a lack of oxygen within the first few years
is confined to a wheelchair and where there is veryafter birth.
limited movement in any part of the body, or it couldCP is a disorder of movement caused by lack of
simply be a slight limp or movement problems in theoxygen that starts in infancy or before birth and can
hands and arms.vary in severity from a very mild form to severe
Cerebral Palsy is Not Mental Disability or Lack ofphysical disability. It does not necessarily affect the
Intelligenceintelligence and in many cases those who are
Many people tend to get confused with this and feelseverely affected physically have normal or superior
that because someone is perhaps severely physicallyintellects.
affected, confined to a wheelchair and has very