Cerebral palsy, an unending battle for affected people

By Stephen TADAHA

Children with cerebral palsy, have been victims of discrimination, stigmatisation and have always been abandoned to their families, to some extent to themselves by the society.

Cerebral Palsy (CP) according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, is a group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture. It’s usually caused by abnormal brain development or damage to the brain that affects a person’s ability to control his or her muscles and one in 500 infants is reportedly born with it.

As we observed the Cerebral Palsy day, CNA takes you to the discovery of CP, with Doctor Belanquale Claude, a medical officer, head of the Bangang medical center in the West Region of Cameroon.

🎤 : Good morning Doctor Belanquale.

Dr Belanquale: Good morning.

🎤: Dr We’ve seen the definition of Cerebral Palsy as defined by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention which I think you agree with, what can cause cerebral palsy?

Dr Belanquale: the main cause of cerebral Palsy can be due to decreased blood flow or oxygen supply that might affect the baby’s brain development while in the womb. It can also be caused be genetically transmitted.

🎤: Can it be cured and/or treated?

Dr Belanquale: There is no cure but cerebral palsy but can be taken care of to a certain level during pregnancy.

🎤: What is the best treatment we can give to those born with cerebral palsy?

Dr Belanquale: the only way I think can help treat such persons is by letting medical teams take care of them so that they be more active.

World Cerebral Palsy Day on 6 October was created by the Cerebral Palsy Alliance in 2012 and now brings together people living with cerebral palsy, their families, allies, supporters and organizations across more than 100 countries.

According to a movement called World Cerebral Palsy Day,

• 1 in 4 children with cerebral palsy cannot talk
• 1 in 4 cannot walk
• 1 in 2 have an intellectual disability
• 1 in 4 have epilepsy

Parents and other relative of affected persons are encouraged to seek medical help as early as possible for the good of their offspring and relatives.