MOST people already complain about pain and other forms of discomfort whenever they move their muscles, particularly the feet or to some, even their hands.
More so if the individual has cerebral palsy.
The Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation (CPARF) estimates that about 18 million people worldwide have this condition, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the US found one in every four cases of cerebral palsy for every 1,000 live births.
Based on available data, about one to two percent of the population in the Philippines have cerebral palsy.
What is cerebral palsy?
THE CDC says cerebral palsy or CP “is a group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture, and is the most common motor disability in childhood. Cerebral means having to do with the brain, while palsy means weakness or problems with using the muscles. CP is caused by abnormal brain development or damage to the developing brain that affects a person’s ability to control his or her muscles.”
The CDC, a major component of the US Department of Health and Human Services, noted four types of cerebral palsy, mainly spastic cerebral palsy, which is the most common as it affects about 80 percent of people with CP, whose muscles are seen as stiff and movements become awkward. There are different types of spastic CP as well, depending on the body part that is affected, like spastic diplegia/diparesis, where muscle stiffness mainly affects the legs; spastic hemiplegia/hemiparesis, which affects only one side of the body; and spastic quadriplegia/quadriparesis, said to be the most severe as it affects all four limbs, the trunk, and the face. Those with this type of CP, according to the CDC, usually cannot walk and possess other developmental disabilities like intellectual disability, seizures, or problems with vision, hearing, or speech.
Those with Dyskinetic CP, on the other hand, have problems controlling the movement of their hands, arms, feet, and legs, making it difficult to sit and walk. Meanwhile, Ataxic CP is about problems on balance and coordination, and Mixed CP, the most common type is spastic-dyskinetic, is one whose symptoms are of more than one type of CP.
Here in the Philippines, the Philippine Pediatric Society said there are about 2,993 cases of unspecified cerebral palsy cases, 426 of whom are spastic quadriplegics, 59 spastic diplegics, 33 dyskinetics, 10 are ataxics, and 190 were categorized as “others” although many may not be reported yet.
Factors that cause CP and its effects
THERE are several factors that lead to CP prevalence in the country, mainly due to lack of access to sufficient healthcare and support. Poor nutrition is also one, where malnutrition during pregnancy lead to brain damage in the fetus developing inside the body, thereby posing CP risks. Lack of prenatal care is also another factor since majority of women in the Philippines hardly receive prenatal care, which may also lead to birth complications or even injuries.
The effects of CP on the body also varies depending on the severity and type, like difficulty with movement and coordination, muscle stiffness and tightness, speech and language and intellectual difficulties, plus other social and emotional challenges, particularly for children who try to deal with their condition.
It is also essential that those with CP, despite their condition, should still be fully integrated into the mainstream of society, and should receive substantive medical care, physical therapy, and other support services for the management of their condition and more importantly, improve their quality of life.
In a recent session online, Cerebral Palsied Association of the Philippines, Inc. (CPAP) President Charito Corazon Manglapus, said societal stigma has also forced some people with CP not to reveal their true condition, and said that CPAP is determined to reverse this somewhat prevailing perception.
However, she pointed out the value of early intervention, combined with occupational therapy and special education, can enhance learning capacities based on individual functional levels of people diagnosed with CP.
Possible treatment modes
UNFORTUNATELY, CP is incurable according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) of the US, but certain treatments can help improve the capabilities of those with CP, particularly children. Although there is no standard therapy, consultations with specialists like a pediatric neurologist, developmental pediatrician, ophthalmologist, or otologist, can help in providing an accurate diagnosis and development of a specific treatment plan.
There are also forms of therapies like physical, occupational, recreational, speech and language, and treatments for those who drool or have difficulty eating since they have little control over the muscles that cause movement in the jaw, mouth and tongue. Other treatments may involve medication, surgery, and the provision of assistive devices.
Societal support
ONE of those that consistently provide support to raising awareness and information about CP is SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls. Last month, the group partnered with the Cerebral Palsy Epilepsy Family Awareness Support Group.PH Inc. in celebration of World Cerebral Palsy Day. The group conducted a Hip Awareness workshop and physical check-up session at the SM Mall of Asia Arena Annex Building in Pasay City.
The workshop aimed to orient, help, and guide parents of children with cerebral palsy and epilepsy on hip dysplasia, a congenital complication where the hip joint bones do not fit together properly. This condition makes affected children more prone to hip dislocation, which, in turn, affects their mobility and self-sufficiency.
“If you have an unlimited number of ‘whys’ regarding what we are currently experiencing, it’s even more crucial that we engage in continuous contemplation about how and what we can do to ensure a better life and a beautiful future for our children,” said Cerebral Palsy Epilepsy Family Awareness Support Group.PH Inc. President and Founder, Jessa Marmol.
For his part, SM Supermalls’ Senior Vice President for Operations and Director for SM Cares Program on Persons with Disabilities, Engr. Bien Mateo, said the event “marks a significant moment for us, not only because it’s the second year for us to host such an important event, but it also represents SM Supermalls’ ongoing commitment to raising awareness and providing support to our friends with cerebral palsy.”
SM Cares is all about ‘Supporting Communities.’ In the spirit of social inclusion, we find ways to make our malls accessible and our frontliners assistive to individuals with cerebral palsy, as well as the families who care for them. We always will be a mall for all where no one gets left behind, and we hope that everyone will be able to enjoy the same fun and leisure in our malls,” Mateo added.