October 7 is Cerebral Palsy Day

Ghana would join the rest of the world to mark World Cerebral Palsy Day on October 7.

The day is set aside to draw attention to issues affecting people with Cerebral Palsy (CP).

World Cerebral Palsy is celebrated on the first Wednesday of October each year to draw the world's attention to Cerebral Palsy and the need for public policies that seek to ensure equal rights for people living with the health problem.

A statement issued by Hannah Awadzi, initiator of the Special Mothers project, said there are more than 17 million people living with CP, tens of millions of family members devoting their lives to the care of their loved ones, and tens of thousands of doctors and therapists involved in the diagnosis and treatment of CP.

The Special Mothers Project is a project that seeks to extend moral support and encouragement to Mothers with CP children.

The project also encourages mothers to seek help since there is genuine help out there, share their stories and come out with their CP children, our world need to know about CP.

CP is the most common physical disability in childhood, it is a permanent, lifelong disability and affects an average of one in every 500 live births.

The statement said in many countries, including Ghana, people with CP are 'invisible'. They live out of sight, out of mind and out of options."

"People with CP face superstition and they and their families live a life of exclusion, however, when given the opportunity people with CP with the same opportunity as everyone else to live up to their potential, they prove how significant it can be—not just for individuals with CP, but for everyone in the societies in which they live."

The statement mentioned Ms. Farida Bedwei, as a classic example of a person living with CP yet a renowned Software Engineer, whose product is helping many in the Savings and Loans (Microfinance) Sector.

Yet people living with CP are one of the least understood communities in the world, she said

Robyn Cummins, World Cerebral Palsy Day Manager, also noted that: " too little money is being spent on prevention and supportive tools; too few doctors and therapists have the knowledge to diagnose and treat people with CP.

"Too many families lack access to basic information and support; too few teachers have the training to ensure people with CP get the education they deserve; and, perhaps most importantly, it is still far too easy to keep people with CP out of sight, out of mind and out of options in communities around the world."

Mr Cummins said it is not just a question of human rights. It has a direct impact on our collective social and economic wellbeing.

"The artistic, economic, social, scientific and political contribution of 17 million people—and those who commit everything on their behalf—are simply unrealised."

He said Information is available; support exists. Effective policies could be shared among countries. Evidence-based therapies and diagnostic tools are available. People just do not have access.

The World Cerebral Palsy Day Manager said the gap between potential and everyday reality is not going to close until every member of the community of people dealing with CP decide that it is important that every other member of that community have access to the tools and information they deserve.

He called on those living with CP and their families to share their stories and best ideas. Until everyone living with CP has the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.