Despite many peoples preconceptions Cerebral Palsy is not an illness it is a condition. It is not a disease that can be spread. Cerebral Palsy is caused by an injury to the brain either pre-birth, at birth or very shortly afterwards. It is not something you catch!
People with Cerebral Palsy have been partially brain damaged. This does not mean that they are mentally subnormal. The damage manifests itself in a more physical form; the muscles in various parts of the body are not able to function properly in the same way as ‘normal’ people. Movement is restricted and it may affect the way the sufferer walks, talks, eats and plays.
Cerebral Palsy is not a condition that will ‘get better’. People who have Cerebral Palsy have it for life; it’s not going to go away.
There are, basically, four types of Cerebral Palsy. To find out more about these click on the links below.