Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month: Part 2 (Days 17 – 31)

This is Part 2 of the collection of daily facts about cerebral palsy that Stacy has been posting on the Fans of James Facebook page. This post will include facts from Days 17 through 31. Click here to view Part 1 for CP facts from days 1 through 16.

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

 

Day 17

James has spastic cerebral palsy which is the most common type of CP, making up 70 to 80 percent of cases. People with spastic cerebral palsy often experience exaggerated or jerky movements (hypertonia).

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

James is anything but common.

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

I believe it. Social media has helped bring all these families, friends, and people together.

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

James might be wheelchair bound, but his friend needs to walk with crutches. Both of them have cerebral palsy.

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

We didn’t realize it was so common. I don’t know how old this figure is, but I wonder if that number has changed over the years.

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

James is not one of the lucky ones, but he doesn’t seem to mind mommy, daddy or his nurse pushing him around.

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 was told at his parent teacher conference that he is a chatter box in his own way. He can’t speak, but instead makes lots of sounds.

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

When James was born, his left optic nerve was not developed so he wore glasses from age 1 to 3 years old. His eyes finally got stronger and now he just wears them just to protect his eyes from getting dry since he doesn’t blink or know how to close his eyes.

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

All four of James’ limbs are affected. He has quadriplegic cerebral palsy.

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

Trying to get by on one full-time income, and Stacy’s side jobs is a struggle. We don’t qualify for many government benefits, but we are fortunate to have family, friends, and even complete strangers help us out financially.

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

Every hour? Let that sink in for a minute. We need to find a way to “cure” cerebral palsy!

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

Although James can’t speak, we think he has hip and back pains. That’s why he will be getting his spine fused. We’re hoping that will help with discomfort and allow him to breathe better.

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

We just want James to live the best life he can with the CP card he was dealt. Don’t feel sorry for him; we think he has a pretty good life with his mommy & daddy.

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

LAST DAY! I hope you learned some new information. This journey is definitely not what Stacy and I expected when James was born, but it’s our journey. I’m not sure if we would want it any other way. We’ve met so many wonderful people because of James.

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.