World Cerebral Palsy Day

World Cerebral Palsy Day is observed on 06 October. It is a global movement to ensure equal rights and opportunities for children and adults with Cerebral Palsy. More than 17 million people around the globe are living with cerebral palsy. This day is meant for making the voices of these people heard. In this article, we are sharing details about World Cerebral Palsy Day as our contribution to spreading awareness about Cerebral Palsy.

Significance of World Cerebral Palsy Day

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is one of the most common reasons for childhood disability. Despite this fact, there is a very low level of awareness about this disorder. Cerebral Palsy is a complex and lifelong disorder with a wide range of consequences. It may affect movement, vision, learning capacity, hearing power, speech as well as intellect. Every person with Cerebral Palsy may have a unique set of challenges.

There is a dire need of spreading awareness about Cerebral Palsy. Hence, World Cerebral Palsy Day was started as a movement by people with cerebral palsy, their families and organizations that support the cause. It is a movement that tries to bring people’s attention towards people affected with Cerebral Palsy. It advocates for an inclusive society that accepts people with cerebral palsy and provides them with equal rights, opportunities and dignity.

Many cultures around the globe attach many stigmas to cerebral palsy. Some cultures even believe that a mother cursed for her sins give birth to a child with Cerebral Palsy. The movement plays a significant role in dispelling such myths.

Individuals and organizations working for the betterment of persons with Cerebral Palsy are given recognition on 06 October every year.

History of World Cerebral Palsy Day

The first World Cerebral Palsy Day was observed on 06 October 2012. Since then it has been celebrated every year. More and more people are joining the movement.

World Cerebral Palsy Day was first proposed and started in 2012 by the Cerebral Palsy Alliance in Australia and United Cerebral Palsy in the United States. It was then just a small campaign called “Change My World in One Minute”. The campaign was aimed at encouraging people to share about new products and technologies that can make life easier for persons with cerebral palsy. Today over 450 organizations spread across 65 countries of the world are part of the movement.

Key Targets of World Cerebral Palsy Day

World Cerebral Palsy Day that started with the vision of providing innovative and technological solutions to the problems of people with Cerebral Palsy has since evolved much. Today, the mission works for targeting six key areas to bring positive changes in the life of people with Cerebral Palsy.

• Public Awareness – It aims at raising awareness among the general mass. When people are made aware of the facts they are less likely to believe and participate in any discriminatory practices against people with Cerebral Palsy.
• Education – The movement aims at providing equal opportunities for education to children affected with cerebral palsy.
• Civil Rights – The movement acts as a pressure group to the local, regional and national governing bodies to provide all and equal civil rights to persons with disabilities.
• Medical and Therapy – Medical fraternity has been ignorant about Cerebral Palsy for a very long time. The movement tries to get the attention of the medical fraternity towards obtaining better tools to help people with Cerebral Palsy.
• Life Quality – The movement focuses on improving the overall life quality of Persons with Cerebral Palsy. When people are given equal opportunities for education and work they can surely better their life quality.
• Contribution – The day is utilized to recognize and spread the contribution of persons with Cerebral Palsy in society. It also recognizes the efforts of individuals and organizations in making life better for persons with Cerebral Palsy.

Color of World Cerebral Palsy Day

The green color is the official color for World Cerebral Palsy Day. The green color is thought to be a color that brings good luck and hence it was chosen as the official color for World Cerebral Palsy Day. People are encouraged to wear green on 6^th October.