Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month: Days 1-15

Welcome to part 1 of 2 of the Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month daily facts that Stacy has been posting to James’ Facebook page. Below are the facts from the first 15 days of the month. I plan to publish part 2 of these facts, which will include days 16 through 31, on the 31st.

Thank you Firefly company for putting these facts together to help raise awareness about cerebral palsy.

 

Day 1

James will not infect you or your child with cerebral palsy. He will just infect you with love and cuteness.

An awareness graphic features a large orange number “1” on the left and bold gray text reading “CEREBRAL PALSY ISN’T CONTAGIOUS RELAX :)”. A thin orange line separates the main message from smaller text that reads "supporting special‑needs family participation and CP Awareness Month", along with the hashtag #CPAwareness. At the bottom is the orange “firefly” logo and the website “fireflyfriends.com.” A green awareness ribbon appears on the right side of the design.

 

Day 2

James had a stroke before he was born.

An awareness graphic features a large orange number “2” on the left and gray text explaining that cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the part of the brain that controls muscle movement. On the right, an orange silhouette of a head contains a simple brain illustration with a crack symbolizing injury. A thin orange line separates the main message from smaller text that reads "supporting special‑needs family participation and CP Awareness Month", along with the hashtag #CPAwareness. At the bottom is the orange “firefly” logo and the website “fireflyfriends.com.” A green awareness ribbon appears on the right side of the design.

 

Day 3

James had a stroke before he was born.

An awareness graphic features a large orange number “3” on the left. To the right, gray text states that over 90% of cerebral palsy cases occur pre‑birth. Beside the text is an orange outline of a fetus inside a womb. A thin orange line separates the main message from smaller text that reads "supporting special‑needs family participation and CP Awareness Month", along with the hashtag #CPAwareness. At the bottom is the orange “firefly” logo and the website “fireflyfriends.com.” A green awareness ribbon appears on the right side of the design.

 

Day 4

James’ learning difficulties are more likely due to the stroke he suffered before he was born than from the cerebral palsy.

An awareness graphic features a large orange number “4” on the left. To the right, bold gray text explains that cerebral palsy does not necessarily involve learning difficulties and that people with CP often have an equal or higher IQ than the general population. An orange silhouette of a head with a simple white brain outline appears beside the text. A thin orange line separates the main message from smaller text that reads "supporting special‑needs family participation and CP Awareness Month", along with the hashtag #CPAwareness. At the bottom is the orange “firefly” logo and the website “fireflyfriends.com.” A green awareness ribbon appears on the right side of the design.

 

Day 5

We don’t plan on James leaving us anytime soon, but with all of his other medical issues, we just don’t know.

An awareness graphic features a large orange number “5” on the left. To the right, gray explains that most people with cerebral palsy have a similar life expectancy to the general population, followed by the line “We’re not leaving anytime soon.” Beneath the message are simple orange icons of four human figures in increasing size, suggesting growth across ages. A thin orange line separates the main message from smaller text that reads "supporting special‑needs family participation and CP Awareness Month", along with the hashtag #CPAwareness. At the bottom is the orange “firefly” logo and the website “fireflyfriends.com.” A green awareness ribbon appears on the right side of the design.

 

Day 6

Never say Never… there is so much that he has learned over the past 6 years. Walking is not one of them…yet.

An awareness graphic features a large orange number “6” on the left. To the right, gray text explains that cerebral palsy does not always mean a person will never walk, with the message “Many can, many will.” Beside the text is a simple orange walking‑figure icon. A thin orange line separates the main message from smaller text that reads "supporting special‑needs family participation and CP Awareness Month", along with the hashtag #CPAwareness. At the bottom is the orange “firefly” logo and the website “fireflyfriends.com.” A green awareness ribbon appears on the right side of the design.

 

Day 7

James makes sure mom & dad know when he’s not happy! He “yells” at us, but sometimes he just lets out a “coo” to tell us that he is happy and needs some cuddles. School is working on switch communication with him.

An awareness graphic features a large orange number “7” on the left. To the right, gray text explains that cerebral palsy can affect communication, followed by the message “but we find ways.” Beside the text is a simple orange speech‑bubble icon. A thin orange line separates the main message from smaller text that reads "supporting special‑needs family participation and CP Awareness Month", along with the hashtag #CPAwareness. At the bottom is the orange “firefly” logo and the website “fireflyfriends.com.” A green awareness ribbon appears on the right side of the design.

 

Day 8

James loves to be a kid with his friends and family and to be invited to places. If he can’t go, we will tell you, but the invite is the important part.

An awareness graphic features a large orange number “8” on the left. To the right, two simple orange child icons appear — one with a bow and one waving. Bold gray text states that kids with cerebral palsy are still just kids, “nothing more, nothing less.” A thin orange line separates the main message from smaller text that reads "supporting special‑needs family participation and CP Awareness Month", along with the hashtag #CPAwareness. At the bottom is the orange “firefly” logo and the website “fireflyfriends.com.” A green awareness ribbon appears on the right side of the design.

 

Day 9

James was full-term at 39 weeks and was one of the biggest babies in his NICU pod.

An awareness graphic features a large orange number “9”. To the right, gray text explains that about half of children with cerebral palsy are born prematurely. A thin orange line separates the main message from smaller text that reads "supporting special‑needs family participation and CP Awareness Month", along with the hashtag #CPAwareness. At the bottom is the orange “firefly” logo and the website “fireflyfriends.com.” A green awareness ribbon appears on the right side of the design.

 

Day 10

Nobody is giving up.

An awareness graphic features a large orange number “10” turned sideways on the left side. To the right, bold gray text states that there is currently no cure for cerebral palsy, paired with the message that nobody is giving up. Beside the text is a stylized orange DNA strand. A thin orange line separates the main message from smaller text that reads "supporting special‑needs family participation and CP Awareness Month", along with the hashtag #CPAwareness. At the bottom is the orange “firefly” logo and the website “fireflyfriends.com.” A green awareness ribbon appears on the right side of the design.

 

Day 11

Unfortunately, James will probably never be independent. If something were to happen to me and Stacy, maybe a cute nurse will move in and take care of him.

An awareness graphic features a large orange number “11” turned sideways on the left side. To the right, bold gray text states that people with cerebral palsy can lead completely independent lives. Beside the message is an orange house icon containing simplified figures of two adults and one child, representing family and independence. A thin orange line separates the main message from smaller text that reads "supporting special‑needs family participation and CP Awareness Month", along with the hashtag #CPAwareness. At the bottom is the orange “firefly” logo and the website “fireflyfriends.com.” A green awareness ribbon appears on the right side of the design.

 

Day 12

James goes to 1st grade in a local elementary school with his friends but gets taught in a smaller classroom.

An awareness graphic features a large orange number “12” turned sideways on the left side. To the right, bold gray text states that many kids with cerebral palsy can, will, and should attend mainstream schools. To the right of the message is an orange classroom icon showing “ABC 123” on a board. A thin orange line separates the main message from smaller text that reads "supporting special‑needs family participation and CP Awareness Month", along with the hashtag #CPAwareness. At the bottom is the orange “firefly” logo and the website “fireflyfriends.com.” A green awareness ribbon appears on the right side of the design.

 

Day 13

It’s hard being a 1st grader!!

An awareness graphic features a large orange number “13” turned sideways on the left side. To the right, gray text explains that cerebral palsy does not necessarily spare someone from stressful, high‑pressure work. Next to the message is a simple orange figure holding a briefcase beside a downward‑trending graph. A thin orange line separates the main message from smaller text that reads "supporting special‑needs family participation and CP Awareness Month", along with the hashtag #CPAwareness. At the bottom is the orange “firefly” logo and the website “fireflyfriends.com.” A green awareness ribbon appears on the right side of the design.

 

Day 14

He just keeps trucking along with what CP has in store for him.

An awareness graphic features a large orange number “14” turned sideways on the left side. Large gray text states that cerebral palsy does not necessarily improve or worsen on its own. To the right of the message are two simple orange icons: one of a doctor and one of a child. A thin orange line separates the main message from smaller text that reads "supporting special‑needs family participation and CP Awareness Month", along with the hashtag #CPAwareness. At the bottom is the orange “firefly” logo and the website “fireflyfriends.com.” A green awareness ribbon appears on the right side of the design.

 

Day 15

James is just a 6-year-old who needs a little help with moving and there is nothing wrong with that!

An awareness graphic features a large orange number “15” turned sideways on the left side. Next to it, large gray text states, “There’s nothing ‘wrong’ with me, I just have cerebral palsy.” To the right of the message is a simple orange thumbs‑up icon. A thin orange line separates the main message from smaller text that reads "supporting special‑needs family participation and CP Awareness Month", along with the hashtag #CPAwareness. At the bottom is the orange “firefly” logo and the website “fireflyfriends.com.” A green awareness ribbon appears on the right side of the design.