Cerebral Palsy

Song: Enya - Watemark

Many children with cerebral palsy have a congenital malformation of the brain, meaning that the malformation existed at birth and was not caused by factors occurring during the birthing process. Not all of these malformations can be seen by the physician, even with today's most sophisticated scans, but when CP is recognized in a newborn, a congenital malformation is suspected. When a diagnosis of CP is made, the mother and father often feel guilty and wonder what they did to cause their child to have this disorder. While it is certainly true that good prenatal care is an essential part of preventing congenital problems, it must be stated that congenital problems, or "birth defects," often occur even when the mother has strictly followed her physician's advice in caring for herself and the developing infant. Though the causes of "birth defects" are usually unknown, we do know that the developing brain can be affected by several factors. When the fetus is exposed to certain chemicals or infections through the expectant mother, for example. The developing brain can be injured if the expectant

mother suffers severe physical trauma, the fetal brain can be injured, too, but this is rare. Finally, prematurity and a low birth weight have been shown to be related to an increased incidence of specific disorders. Many chemicals are known to adversely affect the developing brain, alcohol being the most commonly used. The term Fetal Alcohol Syndrome describes the long-term, multi-system effect of alcohol on a child whose mother abused alcohol during the pregnancy. When a fetus is exposed to large amounts of alcohol, several body systems, including the neurological system will almost certainly suffer damage. Cigarette smoking by the mother has been shown to decrease birth weight, and low birth weight is associated with several disorders, including cerebral palsy. Severe malnutrition in the mother can adversely affect brain growth in the fetus, and it, too, can result in a low birth weight. The use of cocaine or crack by the expectant mother is associated with blood vessel complications, and these complications affect many organs as well as the central nervous system. Cocaine use is increasing and thus becoming more prevalent as cause of brain damage in infants. Most infants whose mothers used cocaine during pregnancy develop mental retardation rather than cerebral palsy, however. Infections such as rubella (German measles), toxoplasmosis, and cytomegalovirus (CMV), ( if a woman has them during pregnancy), also may injure the brain of the fetus. Rubella can be prevented by immunization, prior to becoming pregnant, and the chances of becoming infected with toxoplasmosis can be minimized by not handling the feces of cats and by avoiding raw or uncooked meat.

Pictures: Google
Information: Wikipedia & http://gait.aidi.udel.edu/res695/homepage/pd_ortho/clinics/c_palsy/cpweb.htm

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Cerebral
• Palsy
• Brain
• Malformation

[96geeksforever]

How did you make this video ? it's very touching. I have spastic CP and I am the only one at my school with it. I go to mainstream school xxx

[SzChristie]

@96geeksforever I made it with Windows Movie Meker but now I have a better video editor program. God Bless, dear!

[nickjerryjonas94]

thank you!!i also have Cerebral Palsy. but i only have it on my right side. (i have it mildly.)i can talk fine which i am greatful for. but it is still hard for me to do stuff. anyway thank you so much. you made me realize that i should be happy the way i am. thank you!

[SzChristie]

I'm glad you like it. Yes, you should be happy, like my "Angel". I wish it to you! ;-) She got married 1 year ago, her life is wonderful with her husband. I'm going to visit them next weekend.

I hope you're fine.

[brandthedog]

My brother was born with cerebral palsy, although his condition is relatively mild, it has still affected me and everyone in my family. I came across this video by accident but I just want to say that it touched me. He has done a million times better than the doctors expected him to, in fact, he is the only one of my siblings who is actually going to university now, despite doctors saying he would never be able to walk or talk or read or write. Don't discount these people.

[SzChristie]

I am so glad you like my video, and I glad to hear it is touching. Your brother's story is touching, too. I am know a girl with CP, she is my sweet "Angel", she is very warmhearted and sensitive. She can't coordinate her movements, and she can't speak, but her state increasingly better. She got married last year. I like the similar people very much. I wish your brother the best ones!

[carolynm7979]

and i got married but then i love someone else and he has disbitily too

[carolynm7979]

i have mild cp and i t hink my life is not normal but i life good life, i wish i was normal like other people

[XDmychemicalromance1]

I have spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy on my right side i also have ADHD asthma hydrocephalus and insomnia so life is very hard

[gemmiepdog]

i have spastic cerebral palsy and i have never met anyone with cerebral palsy. it sucks because i like sports but i am limited on what i can do properly. i am grateful that i can walk and talk though. thank you for this video. it really helped.

[gfd9933]

@nickjerryjonas94 I have it on my left side. pretty bad and can't walk. but have been able to acomplish a lot with my right hand.in fact i am righting this right now!!!! I also go to a mainstream school.

[SzChristie]

@CarefreeJaimeLyn I am so glad you like this, inspired by my friend with CP. God Bless you, dear!

[AVP2Ftw]

@96geeksforever thats what she said LOL TOUCHING