Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month: Days 16 – 31

This is part 2 of the Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month posts that Stacy has been posting daily on James’ Facebook page. If you missed Part 1, you can view it here.

Thanks again Firefly for putting these facts together to help raise awareness about CP.

 

Day 16

*This is from 2014*

An awareness graphic features a large orange number “16” turned sideways on the left side. Large gray text notes that many competitors with cerebral palsy will appear in the Winter Paralympics. To the right of the message is a simple orange skier 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 17

James’ CP is spastic, but sometimes Stacy just calls him a spaz.

An awareness graphic features a large orange number “17” turned sideways on the left side. Large gray text explains that there are four types of cerebral palsy: spastic, dyskinetic, ataxic, and mixed. To the right is an orange silhouette of a head with gray brain sections marked by arrows to indicate different affected areas. 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 18

We did not know that cerebral palsy was so common until we had James. We’ve met so many wonderful children (and adults) with CP.

An awareness graphic features a large orange number “18” turned sideways on the left side. Large gray text states that cerebral palsy is the most common childhood disability. To the right are simple orange icons of a globe and two human figures, one waving. 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 19

That is A LOT of people!

An awareness graphic features a large orange number “19” turned sideways on the left side. Large gray text explains that cerebral palsy affects about 17 million people, roughly equal to the population of the Netherlands. To the right is a simple orange silhouette map of the Netherlands. 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 20

We’ve met so many wonderful people because of James’ CP and epilepsy diagnoses.

An awareness graphic features a large orange number “20” turned sideways on the left side. Large gray text states that around 350 million people are connected to someone with cerebral palsy. To the right of the message are simple orange icons of linked human figures representing a network. 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 21

Jame is VERY unique. He marches to the beat of his own drum.

An awareness graphic features a large orange number “21” turned sideways on the left side. Large gray text states that every case of cerebral palsy is as unique as the person who has it. To the right are two simple orange human figures — an adult and a child, with the child raising an arm. 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 22

James is 1 in 500

An awareness graphic features a large orange number “22” turned sideways on the left side. Large gray and orange text stating that one in every 500 babies is diagnosed with cerebral palsy. To the right is a simple orange silhouette of a baby wearing a diaper. 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 23

Never say never, but there’s a pretty good chance James will never be able to walk on his own.

An awareness graphic features a large orange number “23” turned sideways on the left side. Large gray text states that two‑thirds of children with cerebral palsy can walk. To the right 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 24

James has his own language. He usually gets what he wants without using words, but we wish he was able to tell us what is wrong when he is so upset.

An awareness graphic features a large orange number “24” turned sideways on the left side. Large gray and orange text stating that four in five children with cerebral palsy can talk, with a playful note that some talk a lot. To the right are two simple orange human figures with speech bubbles above them. 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 25

James wore glasses for 4 years then his eyes got better and no longer needed them. We don’t know if he will need them again later in life.

An awareness graphic features a large orange number “25” turned sideways on the left side. Large gray text states that only one in ten children with cerebral palsy have severe visual issues. To the right is a simple orange eye 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 26

James has quadriplegic cerebral palsy, which means it affects all four of his limbs.

An awareness graphic features a large orange number “26” turned sideways on the left side. Large gray text explains that cerebral palsy can affect all limbs or just some of them. To the right is a simple orange figure using a cane. 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 27

Very true…

An awareness graphic features a large orange number “27” turned sideways on the left side. Large gray text states that parents raising a child with cerebral palsy do not receive the large financial support many people assume. To the right are three simple orange currency‑note icons. 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 28

One kid every hour? Let that sink in.

An awareness graphic features a large orange number “28” turned sideways on the left side. Large gray text states that one child every hour is diagnosed with cerebral palsy. To the right of the message is a simple orange clock 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 29

Sometimes he cries due to discomfort from CP and sometimes he just cries because he wants more loving attention from his mommy and daddy!

An awareness graphic features a large orange number “29” turned sideways on the left side. Large gray text states that three in four children with cerebral palsy experience recurring pain. To the right is a simple orange sad‑face 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 30

All we want is for James to be given opportunities. It doesn’t matter if he succeeds or fails, as long as he is able to try!

An awareness graphic features a large orange number “30” turned sideways on the left side. Large gray text states that most people with cerebral palsy don’t want sympathy — they want opportunities. To the right are simple orange icons representing different professions and activities, including a calculator, stethoscope, book, chef’s hat, scissors, paintbrush, and gear. 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 31

In all honesty, we resented a few families when James was younger. It was hard to watch kids James’ age or younger doing things he won’t.

An awareness graphic features a large orange number “31” turned sideways on the left side. Large gray text states that raising a child with cerebral palsy isn’t the parenting journey the speaker expected, but they don’t resent anyone else’s. To the right are simple orange icons of a parent and 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.