HELP 100 CHILDREN IN INDIA FIGHT CEREBRAL PALSY

HELP 100 CHILDREN IN INDIA FIGHT CEREBRAL PALSY ( # 36518 )

( A project by Balajothi Centre for the Disabled Trust, Bengaluru, India )

Project Report due on : May 15, 2019 / Report sent on : May 10, 2019

Funds raised to date : $ 20

What is Cerebral palsy (CP)?

Caused due to the occurrence of damage in the parts of the brain that control movement, balance and posture, cerebral palsy is a permanent movement disorder. It appears in the early childhood and the signs and symptoms vary from person to person.  CP occurs due to brain damage caused by injury or abnormal development of the brain during its development. Individuals suffering from this disorder have different problems, one might suffer from total paralysis and other might have slight movement tremors and require little assistance. 

It is not life threatening and the disorder does not aggravate but is incurable, hence becomes permanent. Cerebral Palsy is the most common movement disorder in children and about 2.1 per 1000 babies suffer from it all over the world.

General symptoms

- Poor coordination

- Stiff muscles

- Weak muscles

- Tremors

- Problems in sensation, vision, hearing, swallowing and speaking 

Identification of the disorder

Infants or babies suffering from cerebral palsy have difficulty in rolling over, crawling, walking or sitting. Trouble in thinking or reasoning occurs only in one third of people suffering from CP.

When does the problem develop?

The problem mostly develops during pregnancy but in some cases during childbirth or shortly after that. A child is more prone to this impairment if

 - it is a premature birth

- twins are born

- there are infections during pregnancy  

- head trauma occurs in the first few years of life

However, it is believed that 2% cases are due to an inherited genetic cause.

What is the prevention?

With some immunization of the mother and efforts to prevent head injuries in children, it is partly preventable. But there is no cure for it.

Physical and speech therapy, medications and surgery have helped many leading them to have nearly normal adult life.

Balajothi Centre for the Disabled Trust works with children with CP of various ages.  Parents are being counseled with regard to the importance of therapy and medications.  It is heart rending to see pretty children struggle with this disability and the hardships parents face as they grow up, especially girl children.  We thank all the donors for their generous and regular giving in order to help these children.  Every single dollar donated for this cause helps a child to achieve a near normal adult life.

We are grateful to GlobalGiving for raising funds globally on their fundraising platforms in order to battle this worldwide disability.

Project Leader

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